The airport serves as an “economic and transportation hub for the entire region,” New York State Senators James Seward (R–Oneonta), Tom O’Mara (R–Big Flats), and Pamela Helming (R–Canandaigua) contended in a news release posted on Seward’s website.
The three lawmakers secured the funding for the airport, noting the “importance of the airport to growing local businesses and colleges,” the news release said.
They announced the grant in an event held last Friday at the airport.
The $250,000 grant comes from the Senate’s statewide opportunities for airport revitalization program (SOARS), which the New York State Department of Transportation administers.
“Many thanks for the strong advocacy of Sens. Helming, Seward, and O’Mara on behalf of the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport,” Mike Hall, manager of the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, said in the release. “Their leadership was critical in securing this grant which will help market and promote all that we have to offer. [The facility] is a vital part of a strong economy that provides jobs for residents throughout Central New York.”
The Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport is a “key component” of our local economy, Seward said.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com