WASHINGTON — The U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) announced this week that it will award $16.9 million from the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) to help communities across several states address their local air service needs.
The city of Bentonville will receive $500,000 while Fort Smith will receive $855,000 out of the $16.9 million awarded.
The Department of Transportation received 48 applications from 30 states, requesting a total of more than $33 million. In a news release, U.S DOT announced that 25 communities were chosen for local air service funding.
“In so many of our nation’s smaller communities, local air service is crucial to residents’ lives and livelihoods,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in the release. “We're proud to award these grants to help strengthen local air service in 25 smaller communities and help Americans across the country get to where they need to go more efficiently and affordably.”
DOT has awarded more than 400 grants since the start of SCASDP which have helped communities develop projects tailored to their own air service needs. Examples of these needs range from establishing and restoring air services to providing new routes and improving connectivity, allowing individuals in the community to fly more easily.
According to the release, the communities selected for funding have established public-private partnerships to enhance community participation and facilitate access to air services locally, presented a specific plan and timeframe for using grant funds, and have provided letters of support from interested air carriers.
To read more about these funds and community proposals, click here.
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