Hermiston Municipal and Roseburg Regional Airports will each receive $23,000 in federal funds to help combat the spread of COVID-19.
The funds will be used to cover costs related to operations, personnel, cleaning, sanitization, janitorial services, debt service payments, and combating the spread of COVID-19 at the airports.
“Oregon is a small business state situated on some of the largest swaths of fertile land in the nation, so regional and municipal aviation play a critical role in selling Oregon products all over the country and the world,” said U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden. “The pandemic has hit these facilities especially hard with health and safety concerns causing fewer people to travel, but the demand for quality products continues to go up. I am proud to partner with the leaders in both Roseburg and Hermiston to bring support to these economic services.”
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley said airports play a key economic role in both cities.
“Throughout this pandemic, families and businesses in Hermiston and Roseburg have relied on their municipal airports to access crucial goods, and sell local products to customers across Oregon and throughout the country,” said Merkley.
Hermiston Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan echoed Merkley’s remarks.
“I’m so thankful to Sen. Wyden and Sen. Merkley for not losing sight of the critical role that the day-to-day operation of rural airports like Hermiston’s play in supporting our multi-billion dollar regional agricultural economy and moving freight for our local businesses,” Morgan said.
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSAA) included $900 billion for COVID-19 relief, $14 billion of which was to support the transit industry during the COVID-19 public health emergency These grant dollars will be provided at 100-percent federal share, with no local match required. The $14 billion in supplemental funds is being distributed as follows:
- $13.26 billion for urbanized areas
- $678.2 million for rural areas and tribes
- $50 million for Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities
