SMTX Airport To Receive Funds Through Federal CARES Act

The San Marcos Regional Airport will receive $157,000 in disaster relief funds administered by the FAA to support continuing airport operations in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These federal disaster relief funds are allocated through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package signed by President Donald J. Trump on March 27, 2020.

The CARES Act includes $10 billion in funds to be awarded to airports for the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“San Marcos Airport operations are vital to our City and to the entire Innovation Corridor, so we were excited to hear about the FAA CARES grant funding allocated to us,” said Mayor Jane Hughson. “These funds will provide needed financial support to maintain reliable, safe operation at the airport to serve the aviation industry, support airport personnel and supplement our economy.”

The FAA relief program allows airports a reprieve from matching federal funds in the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and supplemental discretionary grants already planned for the fiscal year 2020.

The $157,000 grant just approved by the FAA gives the airport payroll support and the ability to continue with planned construction and safety measures throughout this crisis.

Earlier this month, officials announced the City of will receive $6,429,168 in disaster relief funds for public transit expenses from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and $425,281 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The details of the timing and distribution of the funds is forthcoming and will be shared as it is available.