The provincial government last week announced it has provided a one-time investment of $16.5 million to 55 regional airports that host medevac services throughout B.C., including funds for 10 airports in the Kootenays and area.

The province has also issued a one-time investment of $6.2 million to a number of inter-city bus operators and $16.5 million for regional airports to support operations between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022.

The bus operators and airports will use the funds to pay for operating costs, like maintenance expenses for buses, air terminals and runways. The funds will also go toward payroll, rent and other overhead costs to keep these services operating.

“Our government is working to keep vital services operating during this unprecedented time, and this funding will help British Columbians – especially those in rural areas of the province – have a safe and reliable way to travel to essential appointments,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “We know inter-city bus companies and regional airports were in critical need of funding to keep their operations going during COVID-19. With this investment, inter-city buses and regional airports will now have the funding they need to continue operating and serving people.”

The following Kootenays area airports have been approved to receive funding that will help maintain air terminals, runways and other operations for the essential movement of goods and people:

West Kootenay Regional Airport (Castlegar): $720,000;

Canadian Rockies International Airport (Cranbrook): $720,000;
Creston Valley Regional Airport: $180,000;
Trail Regional Airport: $180,000;

Fairmont Hot Springs Airport: $90,000;
Golden Airport: $90,000;
Grand Forks Airport: $90, 000;

Nakusp Airport: $13,000;
Nelson Airport: $90,000;
Sparwood/Elk Valley Airport: $60,000.

Each airport operator submitted a letter of interest confirming its role in hosting medevac services, identifying its pre and post COVID-19 revenues, and its revenue and expenditure projections for 2021.

Based on a combination of their revenue losses and the budgeted expenditures, airports received funding from one of four categories:

* Category A – airports receiving $720,000;

* Category B – airports receiving $360,000;

* Category C – airports receiving $180,000;

* Category D – airports receiving operational grant funding of up to $90,000.

Lead image: Elk Valley Airport. e-KNOW file photos

e-KNOW

Article Share