Hall-Miller Municipal Airport to receive $30K in Coronavirus Relief Funds

Hall-Miller Municipal Airport was awarded a federal grant of $30,000 as economic relief following the economic distress caused by the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

The funding, which was appropriated by Congress last month as part of the CARES Act, comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn said in a press release dated Apr. 17, “As Texas reels from the economic destruction caused by the coronavirus outbreak, it’s important our airports have the resources they need to weather the storm,” Sen. Cornyn said. “I commend both the Trump Administration and leaders in Atlanta who worked to secure these funds during this trying time.”

In response to questions regarding eligibility, applying for the additional funding, and how those funds would be utilized, City Manager, David Cockrell, said on Monday, “The funding methodology was determined by TxDOT Aviation and split among all small general aviation airports. We have not received the funds as of yet. TxDot Aviation division is preparing the process by which we will receive the funds, but at this time we don’t know what that process will look like. The City Council will determine the use of the funds based on priority.”

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, signed into law by the President on Mar. 27, includes $10 billion in funds to be awarded as economic relief to eligible U.S. airports affected by the prevention of, preparation for, and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CARES Act provides funds to increase the federal share to 100 percent for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and supplemental discretionary grants already planned for the fiscal year 2020. Under normal circumstances, AIP grant recipients contribute a matching percentage of the project costs. Providing this additional funding and eliminating the local share will allow critical safety and capacity projects to continue as planned regardless of airport sponsors’ current financial circumstances.

Additionally, the CARES Act provides new funds distributed by various formulas for all airports that are part of the national airport system. This includes all commercial service airports, all reliever airports, and some public-owned general aviation airports.

“I commend... the leaders in Atlanta who worked to secure these funds...”

- Sen. John Cornyn