Local Congressman Jimmy Panetta said Tuesday that more than $12.8 million in federal grants are going to be distributed to airports around the Central Coast, almost all of it to Monterey Regional Airport.
The Carmel Valley Democrat said the grants are from the federal COVID aid program. They are intended to offset some of the revenue the airports are losing while people shelter-at-home and avoid travel.
The Monterey airport will get $12.6 million of the money. Smaller airports are receiving about $200,000 in total.
They include:
- Hollister Municipal: $30,000
- Marina Municipal: $30,000
- Mesa Del Rey in King City: $30,000
- Salinas Municipal: $69,000
- (and) Watsonville Municipal: $69,000
Funding is expected to go toward airport operating expenses, including payroll and utilities, and airport debt payments.
