STEFANIK HIGHLIGHTS RECORD OF RESULTS AT WATERTOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, July 27, 2018

STEFANIK EARNS ENDORSEMENT OF 55 ELECTED LEADERS IN ESSEX COUNTY; REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDENTS FROM ALL ESSEX COUNTY TOWNS

– Stefanik a Strong “Advocate” and “Partner” for Watertown International and Other North Country Airports –

Watertown: Congresswoman Elise Stefanik today highlighted her record of real results for Watertown International Airport and others across the North Country. Joined by a host of airport and Jefferson County officials, Congresswoman Stefanik toured the airport’s expanding facilities, and underscored its vital economic importance to Jefferson County and to the region.

Congresswoman Stefanik was joined at the event by Chairman of the County Legislature Scott Gray, Vice-Chairman of the County Legislature Bill Johnson, County Legislator, Chairman of the General Services Committee, Phil Reed and a host of airport and local executives who thanked Congresswoman Stefanik for serving as a champion and advocate for the Essential Air Service Program at Watertown International and other airports across the District.

“From my first day as a candidate to my first day in Congress, I promised to always put our District first, and to work side by side with local leaders like these to deliver real results for Jefferson County, and for the 21st District,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “The expansion and improvements we saw here today are representative of that commitment, and I’m proud to work alongside these leaders as an advocate and partner in Washington.”

“I am proud to stand with Congresswoman Stefanik today. Congresswoman Stefanik has been an excellent partner to our County Government and continues to deliver results to our shared constituents and Fort Drum. She is fulfilling her promise of being a strong independent leader for the North Country,” said Chairman of the County Legislature Scott Gray.

“I would like to thank Congresswomen Stefanik for being an advocate for north country airports,” said Phil Reed, District 3 County Legislator, Chairman of the GeneralServices Committee. “Elise has been a strong partner in Jefferson’s county’s efforts to provide both quality commercial and general aviation services at theWatertown International airport.“

BACKGROUND:

The Watertown International Airport has grown by 1,128 monthly passengers since June 2017, and in recent years as many as 34% more people a year are flying to or from the airport.

Congresswoman Stefanik helped Watertown International Airport to secure a $1 million dollar grant through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program awarded in August 2017 towards the reconstruction and improvement of lighting at the airport’s apron area, where planes are parked, loaded and boarded.

Congresswoman Stefanik has served as a strong advocate for the Essential Air Service (EAS) Program, which is critical to maintaining commercial air service for small, rural airports in our district. This year, the program administered over $14 million in funding to our rural airports. While the President’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget significantly cut EAS, Congresswoman Stefanik was proud to support a five-year reauthorization of the program in the FAA Reauthorization Act, which passed the House in April.

Total EAS Funding for NY-21 Airports (over $14 million):

# # #