Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
$3,820,790 Department Of Transportation Grant Is Headed To Stewart International Airport To Help Cover Costs Caused By The Pandemic
Additional Money Follows Years Of Tireless Advocacy For New York Stewart International Airport And Emphasizes Continued Commitment To Orange And The Hudson Valley
Schumer, Gillibrand, Maloney: After Pandemic, New York Stewart Is Once Again Cleared For Takeoff
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney today announced an additional $3,820,790 will go to Orange County’s New York Stewart International Airport. The grant was awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration and funded in the Schumer-led American Rescue Plan, which was passed into law earlier this year. The funds will be used to cover costs which New York Stewart incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as enhanced sanitization and personal protective equipment.
“Air travel is vital to the connectivity and success of the Hudson Valley’s economy, which is why, as we continue to build back better from COVID-19, it is critical that we provide the funding necessary to keep Stewart Airport in Orange County safe and efficient,” said Senator Schumer. “Airports stayed open during the worst of the pandemic to make sure service was available for those who needed it and did their best to keep everyone safe in an awful situation. I’m proud to deliver this funding for Stewart after all of its hard work, and I will continue to fight to make sure New York’s airports have the help they need to revive and thrive.”
“The staff of Stewart International Airport worked hard throughout the pandemic to ensure that anyone who needed to travel to and from the Hudson Valley was able to do so safely and efficiently,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This funding will help mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19 by covering the cost of safety improvements and will ensure that Stewart can continue providing critical transportation services to the region. The airport’s continued success is tightly entwined with the Hudson Valley’s broader economic recovery and future prosperity and I will continue to fight on its behalf.”
“New York Stewart International Airport is a key part of our local economy here in the Hudson Valley. It expands our connectivity and brings new business to our region,” said Congressman Maloney. “Ensuring Stewart has the funding it needs to reboot and expand its operations in the wake of the pandemic is a top priority for me in Washington. Today, I am proud that the nearly $4 million in funding we helped secure for Stewart in the American Rescue Plan has officially been issued. We’re getting these resources out the door quickly and efficiently so we can speed up our recovery and get New York back on track.”
Senator Schumer has a long track record of fighting for New York airports due to the immense economic opportunities provided by increased connectivity. Earlier last year, prior to the pandemic, he called for Aer Lingus to consider adding flights from Stewart to Ireland and Great Britain and with the support of Gillibrand and Maloney, secured $8,715,204 million for Stewart International in previous COVID relief legislation. Stewart International is also expected to receive $12,499,175 in the Schumer-led bipartisan infrastructure deal. This announcement comes at a time when Frontier Airlines recently announced its plans to begin nonstop service to three Florida destinations from Stewart by this fall.
“Hudson Valley Tourism Inc. would like to thank Senator Schumer, Gillibrand, and Congressman Maloney for securing over $3.8M for New York Stewart Airport in support of their pandemic recovery efforts,” said Amanda Dana, President of Hudson Valley Tourism, Inc. “As our team works to welcome thousands of visitors and showcase the Hudson Valley’s beautiful ten county destination this fall, this funding will not only allow Stewart to bolster the regional economy, but also to build back better than ever!”
Schumer, Gillibrand and Maloney have also been instrumental in securing the necessary funds for PFAS remediation around Stewart Air National Guard Base, which is attached to the commercial airport. Earlier this year the base was selected for an accelerated and well-funded federal defense environmental clean-up program.
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