The Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport is set to receive $1,080,366 in federal funding as part of the CARES Act, with the money to primarily be used for normal costs such as paying employees.
In total, 55 Kentucky airports will receive $77.2 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). According to the FAA, the federal government will supply 100% of the AIP funding, which normally requires a local match.
“The FAA has been instructed to distribute as quickly as possible, and they are preferring that airports use the money to keep airport employees working and for keeping the airport functional,” said Airport Director Rob Barnett.
Though the money has already been allocated, Barnett said they still have to complete the necessary paperwork over the next few days. There are certain requirements associated with receiving the money, including detailed plans of how it will be used and invoiced.
Barnett said the money will help alleviate some of the financial hardships the airline industry is facing since it has been crippled by people staying home due to the coronavirus.
“It’s just unfathomable what’s happening to airlines out there,” he said. “No one’s traveling. Everyone is adhering to the federal government’s and the CDC’s recommendations as it relates to travel.”
Though they’ve had to dial back in some ways, Barnett said the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport is still incredibly busy. They still provide military flights as well as general and corporate aviation, and they’ve also been working on construction projects.
Barnett said he’s part of conference calls daily about the constant changes to the industry, and they are trying to adapt as best they can while still maintaining operations.
“Our world in the aviation industry is literally changing every day,” he said. “It’s a difficult environment to navigate sometimes.”
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