WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $500,267 in federal funds for the Easton/Newnam Field Airport in Talbot County, including more than $50,000 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

These funds will help support critical infrastructure improvements to the airport, officials said.

“As we build back better, investing in infrastructure improvements across our state will help create jobs and keep our economy moving. That’s why we’ve fought for federal dollars – including American Rescue Plan funding – for projects like this, to support essential transportation needs that benefit Marylanders,” Sen. Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, said in a prepared statement. “The Easton Airport is a key driver for our local Shore economy – we will keep working in Congress to provide federal funding for our local airports to spur economic growth in our region and ensure safe, reliable, and efficient service for Marylanders and visitors alike.”

“The American Rescue Plan has provided critical federal investment in our state to support our economy and everyday lives as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. This new round of federal funding will support design and safety upgrades of Easton/Newnam Field Airport to better serve our state and region in the years ahead,” said Sen. Cardin, chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. “The Maryland delegation will continue our efforts in bringing once-in-a-generation infrastructure legislation across the finish line to modernize and improve our transportation infrastructure across the state.”
Funding will be divided between two projects:

• $338,960 to construct, extend, and improve the Runway 4/22 safety area to meet standards and enhance the safety of operations at the airport
•  $161,307 to remove non-hazard tree obstructions to meet Federal Aviation Administration design standards

These funds were provided through the Federal Aviation Administration to the Talbot County Council. Funds that were made available through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 are available to help cover state and local funding obligations up to 100% of the cost of the project for any grants awarded in FY2020 or FY2021.

Members of the Maryland delegation have fought for funding for local airports throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and helped secured more than $98 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan, more than $24 million in funding through the December Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and more than $107 million in funding through the CARES Act for Maryland airports.