Washington, D.C. - Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded the Anoka County-Blaine (Janes Field) Airport with a grant of $91,162 and Buffalo Municipal Airport with a grant of $13,000. These grants are funded by the Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which Congressman Emmer supported.  

"Infrastructure development is critical to Minnesota’s future, and these investments in Anoka County and Wright County will help ensure we have the means to re-open all of our public infrastructure. These regional airports sustain economic activity and access to Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District, and I’m pleased to see more federal resources go to our state," said Emmer. 

“During this critical time when materials are needed to address our public health crisis, these airports have remained a vital avenue for Minnesotans. Blaine and Buffalo are important connection points for Minnesotans throughout Central and Northern Minnesota, and I am grateful for this investment," Emmer concluded.

Specifically, these grants provide for the operation, personnel, cleaning, sanitization, janitorial services, debt service payments, and to combat the spread of pathogens at the airports. The Blaine airport participates in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Contract Tower Program, and will receive economic relief to cover lawful expenses to support contract tower operations.

Representative Emmer previously signed onto an appropriations letter requesting that air traffic control towers receive full funding and that the FAA expand the program. Congressman Emmer is also a cosponsor of the Continuity for Operators with Necessary Training Required for ATC Contract Towers (CONTRACT) Act, which allows retired but highly skilled FAA Air Traffic Controllers to work at a contract tower facility without losing the federal retirement benefits they have earned.

Read more about Congressman Emmer’s efforts on transportation and infrastructure here.

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