This funding will support continuing operations and replace lost revenue resulting from the sharp decline in passenger traffic and other airport business due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, said Steve Dickson, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA encourages airport sponsors to spend the grant funds immediately to help minimize any adverse impact from the novel coronavirus public health emergency.
Area airports receiving CARES Act funding include:
- Butler County Regional Airport/Hogan Field (HAO), $69,000
- Middletown Regional Airport/Hook Field (MWO), $69,000
- Warren County Airport/John Lane Field (I68), $30,000
- Miami University Airport (OXD), $20,000
Butler County Development Director David Fehr, who is responsible for Hogan Field in Hamilton said his FAA representative in Detroit said the $69,000 grant should be used for operations rather than capital improvements. For March, fuel sales were down 35 percent or about $9,000.
“They were wanting the money to be spent quickly to help stimulate the economy…,” Fehr said. “We’ve had a decrease in the number of flights so we sell less fuel. We have less revenue coming in so it will help offset some of our expenses. I would anticipate that we’ll put it toward things like our utility bills, repairs, things of that nature.”
Matt Eisenbraun, Middletown assistant economic development director, confirmed the city is receiving the grant. He said the FAA has instructed that it was to be used immediately for operational expenses.
Staff Writer Denise G. Callahan contributed to this report.
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