Amata Welcomes $1.38 Million for American Samoa’s Airports from CARES Act
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming over $1.38 million for American Samoa's airports from the CARES Act through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as announced by Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
"These federal funds through the CARES Act coronavirus relief effort will help sustain airport operations during this time of precautions and fewer flights," said Aumua Amata. "I want to pass along our definite appreciation to my good friend, Secretary Chao, and FAA Administrator Steve Dickson."
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) via the FAA is awarding $1,381,262 in aid to three airport locations in American Samoa as a response to the operations changes necessitated by the coronoavirus. This grant is part of the Trump Administration's newly created Airport Grant Program, specifically distributing funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Congresswoman Amata and Secretary Chao on Capitol Hill (file photo)
"This $10 billion (nationwide) in emergency resources will help fund the continued operations of our nation's airports during this crisis and save workers' jobs," stated Secretary Chao.
The funds support ongoing operations and efforts to replace lost revenue due to the loss of passenger traffic and other airport business during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The funds can be used for airport capital expenditures, airport operating expenses to include payroll, utilities, or airport debt payments.
"Thank you to the dedicated men and women from the FAAs Office of Airports for creating an entirely new program in record time to assist airport sponsors in desperate need of these funds," said FAA Administrator Dickson.
The FAA encourages airports to spend the grant funds promptly to help directly with current emergency needs, and airport officials can work with their local FAA Office of Airports field office on the application and grant-agreement process.
The FAA will use a streamlined application and grant-agreement process to make funding immediately available for critical airport needs. The funds will be available as soon as the airport sponsor executes a grant agreement. The CARES Act provides new funds distributed by various formulas for all airports that are part of the national airport system. This includes all commercial service airports, all reliever airports and some public-owned general aviation airports. The FAA issued helpful guidance: Information for Airport Sponsors and CARES Act Program FAQs.
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