NM Delegation Announce $750,000 FAA Grant for Roswell Air Center
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded the Roswell Air Center a $750,000 grant as revenue guarantee and marketing program to facilitate a future United Airlines service between Roswell, N.M. and Denver International Airport in Denver, Colorado.
“This grant for the Roswell Air Center will help grow the Roswell economy, facilitating tourism, travel, and commerce,” Udall said. “As a member of the Senate Appropriations and Commerce Committees, I’ll keep fighting for these investments that empower rural communities and keep our state connected.”
“This is an incredible economic opportunity for Roswell Air Center to expand its services to Denver International Airport,” said Heinrich. “Roswell continues to prove, time and time again, its viability for connecting communities all across New Mexico to tourism and business opportunities – reaching to new regions in the country. I will continue to fight for investments like these that build the foundation for long-term economic growth and job creation in Chaves County and across New Mexico.”
“I’m proud to share that the Federal Aviation Administration will support new service between Roswell Air Center and Denver International Airport with a $750,000 grant. Investments in our rural communities are critical to ensuring all corners of New Mexico have access to economic opportunity and growth. I will continue to fight for the resources our district needs to succeed,” said Torres Small.
“I’m excited to see new federal investments to support the Roswell Air Center and boost New Mexico’s rural economies. This grant will bolster tourism and travel, and I’m excited to see how these new flights connect our communities and make New Mexico a travel destination,” said Luján.
“Flights in southern New Mexico are key to ensuring rural areas in our state can thrive. This grant will keep flights going to and from Roswell so that economic opportunities are more accessible for that corner of our state,” said Haaland.
“The award of the SCASD grant to support new air service between Roswell & Denver is the result of hard work and careful planning on the part of Air Center staff and our consultants. It is a very important milestone in this effort. With this in hand we can now begin more substantive talks with the airline to move the ball forward,” said Scott Stark, Director, Roswell Air Center.
“DEN and Roswell Air Center signed a sister-airport agreement in 2019 to enhance our unique relationship,” said Denver International Airport CEO Kim Day. “We are pleased the U.S. DOT has awarded this grant to support the opportunity to pursue nonstop flights between our two cities, and we look forward to working together to build a successful business case for service.”
“Obtaining this grant is yet another step as we continue to see our Roswell Air Center grow and expand in order to better serve the traveling public and the aviation industry,” said Dennis Kintigh, Mayor, City of Roswell.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the Department of Transportation for their investment of $750,000 and our Sister City Airport, Denver International Airport (DEN) for their commitment of $500,000. We would also like to thank in advance, our neighboring communities for our $650,000 commitment. We believe this strong financial commitment will enable us to secure our future route to DEN,” said Mark A. Bleth, Deputy Director, Roswell Air Center.
