July 29, 2021

Wyden, Merkley: $54,000 in American Rescue Plan Act Funds to go to Gold Beach and La Grande/Union County Airports

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today announced that Gold Beach Municipal Airport and La Grande/Union County Airport will receive a combined $54,000 in federal grants for operations, sanitation, and personnel.

“Rural airports serve as critical connectors for every nook and cranny of Oregon and provide crucial support for wildfire suppression via aircraft,” Wyden said. “I’m gratified that Gold Beach and La Grande have secured these federal dollars, and will continue working to ensure the airports builds on their role as essential infrastructure assets for the South Coast and Eastern Oregon.”

“Now is the time for us to invest in building the foundation our communities need for strong, prosperous futures,” Merkley said. “Rural airports—which help businesses ship their products, firefighters battle blazes, and Oregonians connect with loved ones—have a crucial role to play in forming that foundation. I’m pleased that this funding is headed to Gold Beach and La Grande, and will do all that I can to bring similar investments to more communities throughout our state.”

Gold Beach Municipal Airport will receive $22,000 and La Grande/Union County Airport will receive $32,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that Wyden and Merkley supported. These grants for the two rural airports provide economic relief funds for costs related to operations, personnel, cleaning, sanitization, janitorial services, debt service payments, and combating the spread of pathogens at the airports.

“We feel fortunate to receive these funds and are excited to put them to good use,” Andy Wright, Port Manager at the Port of Gold Beach, said. “Our tourism-based local economy took a big hit last year and this will go a long way to aid the recovery.”


 

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