washington announces new funding for nation's airports

Funding for a wide variety of capital expenditures at airports across the country is being made available through a new federal grant initiative.

The Department of Transportation has announced the availability of up to $10 billion in funding for the airports, which is coming through the recently-passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act.

The Airport Grant Program, as part of the CARES Act, is available to fund airport capital expenditures, as well as debt payments, utilities, and payroll costs.

“The CARES Act provides funds distributed by various formulas for all airports that are part of the national airport system,” a press release from the Department of Transportation reads.

The statement continues: “This includes all commercial service airports, all reliever airports, and some public-owned general aviation airports.”

DOT officials are urging that airports interested in obtaining such funds should work with their local Federal Aviation Administration Office of Airports field office on the application and grant-agreement process.

“It supports the workforce as well as planned safety and construction work,” Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett said in a statement, responding to the announcement of $157,000 in CARES Act funding for the San Marcos Regional Airport.

According to Federal Aviation Administration documents, the Denver International Airport is in line for up to $269 million in such funding; the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is slated for $147.8 million in funding; while the Albuquerque International Sunport is getting  $19.6 million.
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Altogether, some 59 airports in Arizona will be receiving the CARES Act funding, followed by 50 airports in New Mexico, and 49 in Colorado.

​By Garry Boulard

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