Arkansas airports receive $51 million in COVID-relief grants

Arkansas airports affected by the prevention of, preparation for, and response to the coronavirus pandemic have been awarded $51 million by the Federal Aviation Administration.

“These much-needed funds will help Arkansas airports continue operations, as well as support their employees and the businesses that rely on air transportation. These grants will ensure the viability of our airports once we’ve beaten the coronavirus,” noted a joint statement from Arkansas’ Congressional delegation – U.S. Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; and U.S. Reps. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, French Hill, R-Little Rock, Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, and Steve Womack, R-Rogers.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes $10 billion in economic relief funds for airports nationwide.

The CARES Act increased funding for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and eliminates the need for grant recipients to contribute a matching percentage of project costs. It also creates a new funding stream that allots money based on formulas that include number of annual boardings and the amount of debt and money in reserve for each airport.

Of the $51 million, $49.1 million is directed to the following five airports.
• Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (Little Rock): $25.159 million
• Fort Smith Regional Airport: $11.614 million
• Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport: $8.217 million
• Hot Springs: $2.945 million
• Texarkana: $1.154 million