Title
Acceptance of US Department of Transportation FAA AIP Cares Act Grant No. 3-12-0028-044-2020 in an Amount up to $3,113,693 (B)
Explanation
This FAA CARES grant in the amount up to $3,113,693 in emergency COVID-19 aid is to supplement lost Gainesville Regional Airport revenue due to the declared public health crisis and to pay expenses associated with the maintenance of safe and efficient Airport operations.
Air traffic at Gainesville Regional Airport has been down to less than 5% of pre-COVID levels. Although the Airport is now seeing an increase in passenger travel, it may be a year or more before air traffic is back to pre-COVID-19 levels. Recently, Hertz declared bankruptcy and there is an indication that one of the Airport’s current airlines may follow suit.
Because the City of Gainesville retains title to the land upon which Gainesville Regional Airport operates, the City of Gainesville, in addition to GACRAA, must formally accept all federal grant offers. Accordingly, the Gainesville Alachua County Regional Airport Authority (GACRAA) on April 23, 2020, adopted Resolution No. 20-005, which accepted and authorized execution of the anticipated grant offer.
Fiscal Note
This Federal grant in an amount up to $3,113,693 is directly to Gainesville Regional Airport with no direct fiscal implication for the City of Gainesville.
Recommendation
The City Commission adopt the Resolution accepting FAA Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Security Act (CARES) Grant No. 3-12-0028-044-2020 from the US Department of Transportation, FAA in the amount of up to $3,113,693 and authorize the Mayor to execute and the Clerk of the Commission to certify the grant agreement.