Tester Announces $1 Million in Department of Transportation Funding for Helena Regional Airport

Senator: “Investments like this in Helena’s infrastructure keep proving that our state is open for business”

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced $1,004,743 in new Department of Transportation funding for the Helena Regional Airport to support new service routes to Phoenix, AZ.

“As Montana’s economy continues to grow, investments like this in Helena’s infrastructure keep proving that our state is open for business,” said Tester. “Supporting new routes to Montana helps keep us connected, will help create good paying jobs, boost tourism, and provide more flexibility for travel as the country opens back up.”

Funding for the grant comes from the Tester-backed Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) and will be used for an associated marketing program to recruit, initiate, and support new air service to Phoenix from Helena.

As airports continue to struggle to keep up with costs after the COVID-19 pandemic drastically reduced air travel, Tester secured $74 million through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for more than 70 Montana airports to cover operating expenses, staffing, and development projects. He is also leading negotiations in the United States Senate on the Bipartisan Infrastructure package, working to secure further additional funding for Montana’s airports and infrastructure.