Following Sorensen’s Push, Peoria Airport Receives Funding for New Services

PEORIA, IL – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is joining the Department of Transportation (DOT) to announce $500,000 for the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria (MAAP) to expand service to new destinations in the western United States. This announcement comes after Sorensen urged DOT to consider the Peoria International Airport for this funding in May. 

“I’m proud to have supported the Peoria International Airport as they receive this critical funding to expand air service to new western locations, connecting Peoria businesses to economic opportunity,” said Sorensen. “To create good-paying jobs and bring long-term investment to Central Illinois, we need to expand access to our communities.” 

“In today’s air service environment, it is difficult for airlines to take a leap of faith and start new service between small communities and large hubs that have not been connected before.  The Small Community Air Service Development Program provides funding to help mitigate this risk,” said Gene Olson, Director of Airports for the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria. “As we looked at our air service network and the hubs where our airlines fly, we saw a gap to the western US. We developed a local partnership team to match the grant funds with local effort, cash, and value added to help mitigate the risk involved in establishing new service.  We want to thank Representative Sorensen for his efforts in helping us obtain these funds.” 

This funding comes as part of DOT’s Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASD), which provides funds to small communities to expand air service and address airfare issues.  

The grant application process required communities to provide matching dollars and community support. Of the 48 applicants, 20 cities/airports received grants for a total for $14.8 million. 

Congressman Eric Sorensen serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Prior to serving in Congress, Sorensen was a local meteorologist in Rockford and the Quad Cities for nearly 20 years. His district includes Illinois’ Quad Cities, Rockford, Peoria, and Bloomington-Normal. 

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