Congressman Panetta Announces More Than $2 Million in Federal Funding for Central Coast Airports

SALINAS, CA – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced two new U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) grants for airport infrastructure on the central coast of California. The grants will be awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration and are partly funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, increasing the Federal cost share to 100 percent.

The Mesa Del Rey Airport in King City was awarded a federal grant totaling $105,000.00. This project rehabilitates 146,000 feet of the existing Taxiway A to extend the useful life of the pavement.

The Monterey Peninsula Airport was awarded a federal grant totaling $1,931,823.00 to construct a 1,600 foot service road enabling the safe movement of vehicles and ground service equipment.

"Airports are a critical part of our community and economy and investment in airport infrastructure is key to their job creation, transportation improvements, cargo efficiency, and passenger safety. I am pleased and proud to have helped to secure this type of infrastructure investment for our local airports, economy, and our communities on the Central Coast," said Congressman Panetta.

The CARES Act provided DOT over $36.0 billion in overall funding for various programs to provide relief from the COVID-19 pandemic, including $10 billion for the Airport Improvement Program.

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