ACC News and Updates
FAA Releases Guidance on $2 Billion Grant Program for Airports
February 18, 2021
ACC joined other airport and airline stakeholders in a briefing with FAA on the release of $2 billion in funding under the new Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program (ACRGP). The funding was made available under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSAA), which was signed into law on December 27. The FAA issued a
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document providing guidance to sponsors on grant eligibilities and the application process. FAA has set a deadline of June 30, 2021 for grant applications. Learn more about the FAA Airport Coronavirus Response Grant Program
here .
House Ready to Clear COVID Bill with $8 Billion for Airports
February 11, 2021
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee this week approved $42.5 billion in transportation funding under a new $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill. Airports would receive $8 billion through AIP, to remain available until Sept. 30, 2024. A total of $6.5 billion is for primary airports; $608 million to increase the federal share of regular FY 2020 and FY 2021 AIP grants to 100 percent; $100 million for non-primary airports; and $800 million for sponsors to provide relief to airport concessionaires. The proposal will go to the House Budget Committee and then to the House floor for a vote in the coming weeks.
Read the full article here.
ACC Offers Support to New USDOT Secretary Buttigieg in Post-Pandemic Rebuilding
February 4, 2021
After being confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, ACC sent
a letter to U.S. DOT Secretary Peter Buttigieg, offering support in helping to recover from the pandemic. "The slowdown in air travel poses a risk to airports and local economies, but also provides a unique opportunity to accelerate airport economic development, restore planned projects, and initiate critical new airport capital planning and projects," said ACC President T.J. Schulz. "Stimulus investment in airports will alleviate the recent financial impacts of the global pandemic and ensure our airports continue to operate safely and securely." ACC presented six specific recommendations on how to stimulate the economy through rebuilding airport infrastructure.
ACC Urges Companies to Contact Congress on PPP Reform
January 28,2021
ACC is asking its members to contact Congress, urging it to support an important modification to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) guidelines. ACC is calling on Congress to waive the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) credits clause for forgiven loans provided under the PPP. For federal government contracts, any costs funded by forgiven loan proceeds have been deemed to be a credit received by the company. As a result, companies that received PPP loan forgiveness and use the FAR to determine overhead rates may have to apply the credit to their indirect costs. This could artificially lower the firm's overhead rate in the following year, and perhaps in subsequent years under multi-year contracts. ACC will continue to provide updates on this issue. A sample letter has been provided for member use.
New Congress Sworn In; Democrats Gain Control of Senate
January 8th, 2021
The new 117th Congress was sworn in on Sunday January 3, the start of what became a historic week for the U.S. On January 6, amid the Capitol being shut down after rioters stormed the building, the Congress validated Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris as the new President and Vice President-elect, capping off a contentious election season and executive transition.
Wednesday also saw two Georgia Senate seats swinging to Democrats, providing a 50-50 split with Vice President Harris serving as the swing vote. With Democrats appearing to control the Executive and Legislative branches, President Biden may have a smoother path to implement his policy agenda, which includes providing more relief in response to COVID and stimulating the economy through infrastructure investment. ACC's Advocacy Committee is currently finalizing the organization’s policy priorities and plans to engage the FAA, TSA and the new Congress.