Press Releases

For Immediate Release                                    Contact: Michael J. McQuerry

April 14, 2020                                                       202-215-8524

CONGRESSWOMAN STACEY E. PLASKETT ANNOUNCES $41 MILLION GRANT
FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS' AIRPORTS

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement regarding $41 million grants for the Cyril E, King and Henry E. Rohlson Airports in the Virgin Islands:

“The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes funds to be awarded for economic relief to eligible U.S. airports impacted by the prevention of, preparation for, and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am happy to announce that Cyril E. King Airport will receive $21 million and Henry E. Rohlson will receive $19 million in funding.

“The CARES Act provides funds to increase the federal share to 100 percent for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and supplemental discretionary grants already planned for fiscal year 2020. Under normal circumstances, AIP grant recipients contribute a matching percentage of the project costs. Providing this additional funding and eliminating the local share will allow critical safety and capacity projects to continue as planned regardless of airport sponsors’ current financial circumstances.

“Additionally, 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.

“Under this new CARES Airport Program:

1. Primary commercial service airports, with more than 10,000 annual passenger boardings, will receive additional funds based on the number of annual boardings, in a similar way to how they currently receive AIP entitlement funds.
2. All commercial service airports will receive funds based on the number of passengers that board aircraft there, the amount of debt an airport has, and the amount of money the airport has in reserve.

“These important grants are significant to the residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands because they will assist the government and the community in fostering and sustaining sound economic development when it comes to its airports. As a member of the US House of Representatives’ Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I understand how important and I am working hard to support our ports and airports as they help to support our economic development.”

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