From her perch on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, D-Fla., helped reel in more than $5 million to a South Florida airport.
On Tuesday, Mucarsel-Powell announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is sending $5.25 million for the Key West International Airport. The money will be used to cut down on noise which has impacted almost 100 homes around the airport.
“Key West thrives when our tourism industry thrives, but economic growth should not come at the expense of our residents,” said Mucarsel-Powell. “I look forward to seeing this project grow tourism, improve our airport, and make Key West a more pleasant place to live.”
Last month, Mucarsel-Powell announced that DOT is sending $360,000 to the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners to help make the runways Key West International Airport safer.
First elected to Congress last year when she edged U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., Mucarsel-Powell represents all of Monroe County and parts of Miami-Dade County. Representing a swing district, Mucarsel-Powell is expected to be a top target for Republicans as the GOP looks to flip the House in 2020. Curbelo could seek a rematch against Mucarsel-Powell though he would not have an open shot at the Republican nomination. Businesswoman Irina Vilarino, a restaurant owner, is running in the Republican primary. So is engineer Jose Peixoto who has run for office several times without success.
Kevin Derby can be reached at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
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