St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport to receive over $10 million from American Rescue Plan
State Rep. Angie Nixon (center) leads a protest against immigration policies Saturday outside the Duval County Courthouse in Jacksonville. Image via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics.

The airport is home to the busiest Coast Guard Air Station in the world.

The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport is set to receive over $10 million from two American Rescue Plan grants, U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist announced Friday.

The first grant, worth $9,809,329, is targeted to support the airport’s economic recovery from COVID-19 by covering costs related to airport operations, personnel, cleaning, sanitation, janitorial services, debt service payments and efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The second grant will provide $979,617 in rental assistance for small and large concessions at the airport.

“The American Rescue Plan is still delivering for Floridians as we continue in our fight against COVID-19, and I’m grateful this relief is headed straight home to Pinellas’s own St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport,” Crist said in a statement. “So many Florida businesses that support our robust tourism economy have been hit hard by the economic impacts of COVID-19, and in response, Congress provided tangible relief—­all without a single Republican vote—because it was simply the right thing to do. The jobs and well-being of every Floridian will always be my top priority.”

The St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, constructed in 1941 following the attack on Pearl Harbor, is a local hub for commercial air travel as well as home to the busiest Coast Guard Air Station in the world.

The airport, located just north of St. Pete, is a 2,000-acre fully certified facility with two runways. The entire 2000-acre tract of the airport is designated as a Foreign Trade Zone.

Kelly Hayes

Kelly Hayes studied journalism and political science at the University of Florida. Kelly was born and raised in Tampa Bay. A recent graduate, she enjoys government and legal reporting. She has experience covering the Florida Legislature as well as local government, and is a proud Alligator alum. You can reach Kelly at [email protected].



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