Westchester County Airport Will Get $8.1 Million In COVID Funds

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — It wasn't easy or cheap to keep passengers safe during a global pandemic; however, Westchester County Airport will now get an infusion of federal funds to help cover the costs.

In a joint statement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Jamaal Bowman and Rep. Mondaire Jones announced $8,161,540 in federal funding for the Westchester County Airport (HPN). The funding comes from the recently passed American Rescue Plan.

“As Westchester begins to recover from the economic and global pandemic that first touched down in their county, it’s imperative they have the support needed to make their county hub—HPN—the gateway needed to boost community development, which is why I fought hard to include funding to make improvements to the airport in the American Rescue Plan,” Schumer said. “I will always work with the community to fight for the Hudson Valley's economic take off.”

The money will be administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation to help cover the costs of fighting coronavirus. The funds are set aside for operations, personnel, cleaning, sanitization, janitorial services, debt service payments and capital improvements intended to combat the spread of pathogens at the airport.

“Like so many institutions, the COVID-19 crisis had a devastating financial impact on Westchester Airport, which many of my constituents rely on every day,” Jones said. “Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, which I was proud to help pass, Westchester Airport is getting the funding it needs to recover from the past year and build back better while continuing to deliver the quality service our district deserves.”

County officials say the American Rescue Plan funds will be a lifeline for the airport, which was hard hit by the pandemic.

“Thanks to the leadership of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and our congressional delegation, the vital transportation hub that is the Westchester County Airport can continue to serve as an economic driver for our entire region while giving travelers peace of mind that they are entering a clean, sanitized and modern operation," Westchester County Executive George Latimer said.