Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today that the Hermiston Municipal and Roseburg Regional Airports will each receive $23,000 in federal funds for 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,” Wyden said. “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.”
“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. “I’m going to keep doing everything I can to support our local airports so we can keep vital products and medical supplies within reach and these economic engines humming while protecting the health and safety of our essential airport workers.”
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
“I’m so thankful to Senator Wyden and Senator 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,” Hermiston Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan said.
“The City of Roseburg truly appreciates the Oregon Delegation recognizing the critical role that general aviation airports play in rural communities like Roseburg,” Roseburg City Manager Nikki Messenger said. “The Roseburg Regional Airport supports the local economy and improves the quality of life for our residents.”
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