Last week, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is sending almost $14 million to Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB).
The funds, which come from the $1.9 trillion federal stimulus package that Congress passed on a party-line vote in March. Orlando International Airport is getting $171 million from that stimulus and Orlando Executive Airport will receive $59,000.
“This federal funding is a critical part of our efforts to help Central Florida recover swiftly from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Murphy. “As more Americans get vaccinated and return to air travel, our local airports must have the support they need to keep workers employed, businesses open, and our tourism economy thriving.”
“Airports will use this funding to help keep people safe and employed by reimbursing operational expenses and costs related to combating the spread of pathogens like COVID-19. Airports can also use the money to provide rent relief to businesses located at the airport. The funding requires that airports continue to employ at least 90 percent of their pre-pandemic employees for those airports that cover a majority of the traveling public,” the congresswoman’s office noted.
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
