Press Releases

Congressman Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-Ga.) today announced federal funding for airports in the First District of Georgia experiencing severe economic disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was supported by Carter in the United States Congress. 

"This funding will be distributed to airports to respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Carter. "Airports can use this to cover any needs or shortcomings resulting from the public health crisis. In the face of severe economic hardship due to drastically reduced travel, this is critical to ensure our airports stay operational."

Funding in the First District includes:

Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV) - $26,824,077
Brunswick Golden Isles (BQK) - $1,166,405
St Simons Island (SSI) - $69,000
Wright AAF (Fort Stewart)/Midcoast Regional (LHW) - $30,000
Homerville (HOE) - $1,000
Jekyll Island - $1,000
Jesup-Wayne County (JES) - $20,000
Brantley County - $1,000
Waycross-Ware County (AYS) - $69,000

Background from the Federal Aviation Administration:

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law by the President on March 27, 2020, includes $10 billion in funds to be awarded as economic relief to eligible U.S. airports affected by the prevention of, preparation for, and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.