Central Coast airports to get more than $12.8 million in federal funding
(KION) More than $12.8 million in federal grants are going to be distributed to airports around the Central Coast, according to Congressman Jimmy Panetta.
The grants are to help airports facing financial issues as a result of COVID-19, and funding for the grants comes from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and through the Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration.
"As part of the CARES Act, these airports are receiving FAA grants to support continuing operations and replace lost revenue resulting from the sharp decline in passenger traffic and other airport business during the COVID-19 pandemic," Panetta said. "This federal funding definitely doesn't replace the steady stream of earnings that local airports typically receive, but it provides for a softer landing as our airports and their customers do their part to flatten the coronavirus curve and patiently work to get back to normal."
The airports that will receive funding include:
- Hollister Municipal: $30,000
- Mesa Del Rey in King City: $30,000
- Marina Municipal: $30,000
- Monterey Regional: $12,664,025
- Salinas Municipal: $69,000
- Watsonville Municipal: $69,000
Funding is expected to go toward airport capital expenditures; airport operating expenses, including payroll and utilities, and airport debt payments.
