Sen. Carper Touts Positive Impact of Aviation Jobs Bill at Sussex County Airport

WASHINGTON – Today, Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) held a press conference at the Sussex County Airport in Georgetown to discuss the Federal Aviation Administration Air Transportation Modernization and Safety Improvement Act, which recently passed the Senate. He was joined by Sussex County Council President Mike Vincent, State Senator Joe Booth, State Representative Ruth Briggs King and others. They spoke about the positive impact the legislation will have on continued economic development in Sussex County.

“One of my top priorities is to create a nurturing environment for business that facilitates job preservation and job creation, and the Aviation Jobs Bill does just that,” said Sen. Carper. “This bill increases funding through the Airport Improvement Program, which creates much-needed job opportunities through projects funded by those grants. That increase will ensure the funding necessary to complete the Sussex County Airport runway extension project. Through the Airport Improvement Program, the FAA Bill can help attract new businesses, and allow companies to expand and succeed, bringing even more jobs to Sussex County. The airline industry accounts for millions of American jobs and over a trillion dollars in annual economic activity, and our nation can’t afford to let this industry falter. As this bill goes to the House for consideration, I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to see to its passage. I will also continue to support the Sussex County Airport runway extension project and other aviation projects affecting the First State to help foster economic growth and airport accessibility for Delawareans.”

The legislation, also known as the Aviation Jobs Bill, will create and save roughly 280,000 jobs by modernizing airports across the country. In addition, the bill will increase funding for the Airport Improvement Program by 16 percent, thereby ensuring that funding is available to complete critical aviation projects across the country, such as the Sussex County Airport runway extension project. Overall, the Aviation Jobs Bill will upgrade our nation’s aviation infrastructure, enact consumer protection measure and improve air travel.