Rep. Mike Thompson Secures $39.7 Million for Charles M. Schultz-Sonoma County Airport

Press Release

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced grants from the Department of Transportation (DOT) totaling $39.7 million for Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport. The funds will be used to lengthen and improve the safety of the airport's runways. The runway project will help the airport accommodate regional jets flying longer distances to and from an increased number of air travel destinations.

"This project is a huge economic win for Sonoma County and our region. Having an airport that's a short drive away, and that can accommodate travel to and from major inland airports, will attract more tourists and businesses to our area," said Thompson. "If you're a business based in Arizona or Colorado and want to expand into the Bay Area, this project makes Sonoma County an even greater option because you'll be able to easily get back and forth, and fly customers or cargo in and out. Tourism will also see a boost because this project will make it easier for folks around the country to get to Sonoma County."

"We're grateful to Congressman Thompson for his leadership and unwavering support of the Sonoma County Airport project," said Sonoma County Supervisor Mike McGuire. "These enhancements will continue to move our local economy forward by creating jobs and opening up new markets for local business. We'll also be implementing measures to protect the quality of life of surrounding communities by introducing a quieter landing approach for commercial airlines - this is a balanced project."

"The safety improvements and runway extensions these grants support will make a major contribution to the efficiency and competitiveness of local business," said Guy Séné, President of Agilent Technologies' Electronic Measurement Group, which is headquartered in Santa Rosa. "Commercial flights to and from eastern destinations will be convenient and cost-effective for companies like Agilent that have a business need to travel to locations such as Denver."

The runway project will allow the airport to support and attract major airlines that would be able to fly to larger airports further inland. Currently the airport offers flights to Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

The project will also improve safety by separating two runways that currently end at the same location. Creating two separate endpoints for the runways will help eliminate pilot confusion.

The funds will also address environmental requirements to protect and mitigate the impact to local endangered plant and animal species. Thompson worked with the Federal Aviation Administration, other federal resource agencies, and local officials to address these environmental mitigation concerns. The addressing of these environmental concerns was required for the airport to receive this funding.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus

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