A total of 97 airports in Georgia, including several in North Georgia, will receive money from the federal government as part of wide-reaching financial relief during the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao on Tuesday announced the $411 million in funding for Georgia airport. The bulk of the money - $338 million - will go to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.
"As home to the world’s busiest airport, Georgia has been particularly hard-hit by reduced air travel," said Georgia Senator David Perdue in a press statement. "Declining revenues are forcing airports to choose between paying their bills and making payroll. The CARES Act funding, in addition to targeted assistance for domestic airlines, will help shore up this strategic industry and save thousands of quality jobs."
Senator Kelly Loeffler, in the same press release, said regional airports will benefit from the CARES Act funding, as well.
"Whether it’s the Masters in Augusta, the Saint Patrick’s Day celebration in Savannah, the Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, a Saturday in Athens for UGA football or any of our beautiful beaches, Georgia is a travel destination for many,” said Loeffler. “As a hub for tourism and home to the busiest airport in the nation, Georgia has been hit hard by the dramatic decrease in air travel due to the coronavirus. These grants will help Georgia airports maintain their crucial operations, pay employees and ensure they’ll be ready to operate at full capacity when it’s safe for all of us to travel again."
A dozen regional airports that serve the North Georgia area have been designated for the following awards:
- Gwinnett County-Briscoe Field in Lawrenceville - $157,000
- Lee Gilmer Airport in Gainesville - $69,000
- Barrow County Airport in Winder - $69,000
- Habersham County Airport in Cornelia - $30,000
- Jackson County Airport in Jefferson - $30,000
- RG LeTourneau Field in Toccoa - $30,000
- Gilmer County Airport in Ellijay - $30,000
- Ben Epps Airport in Athens - $30,000
- Blairsville Airport - $30,000
- Elbert County-Patz Field in Elberton - $30,000
- Franklin County airport in Canon - $30,000
- Pickens County Airport in Jasper - $30,000
