Rep. Frankel Announces Multi-Million Dollar Relief for Lantana Airport Businesses Affected by Trump Visits to Palm Beach County
West Palm Beach, FL,
February 15, 2019
West Palm Beach, FL – Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21) announced a $3.5 million grant program for relief to local businesses and aviators at Lantana Airport affected by flight restrictions when President Trump visits Mar-a-Lago. The measure is included in the just passed government funding bill. “Local businesses and aviators at Lantana Airport have been unfairly impacted by Mr. Trump’s frequent trips to Mar-a-Lago,” said Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-21), a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “They will now have an opportunity to receive financial relief.” “From the outset of our plight at the Lantana Airport due to its complete shutdown as a result of the presidential TFRs around Mar-A-Lago, Congresswoman Frankel was there with us,” said Jonathan Miller, President of Stellar Aviation Group. “She took the time to understand the impacts to the affected business at the airport and worked with both the local and federal government to try and find solutions to alleviate these significant impacts. Her steadfast commitment to her constituents, and her perseverance in drafting legislation and seeing it through to passage, is the best example of government in action on behalf of its citizens. The country needs more leaders like the Congresswoman Frankel with her clear mission to better the lives of those she represents. We are grateful for her representation.” In order to protect the President when he is at Mar-a-Lago, the Secret Service’s Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) ground all flights from the nearby Palm Beach County Park Airport, also known as Lantana Airport. Although the restrictions are only in place during the President’s visit, they have a long-term financial impact on local aviation companies. Lantana Airport has 25 small businesses that support 250 jobs and 200 daily flights on average. The airport management company, flight schools, banner fliers, and other enterprises have lost an estimated $1 million in revenue to date as a result of the TFRs. The funding bill includes $3.5 million in grants for business and sponsors at certain airports shut down by the TFRs. Businesses and sponsors at Lantana Airport and Somerset Airport in Bedminster, New Jersey are currently eligible.
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