The Polson airport is set to receive $30,000 in funding from the CARES Act to assit with perational expenses, staffing and projects during the coronavirus pandemic.

Congress approved the CARES Act in early March. It includes nearly $74 million in funding for 70 airports across Montana, which can be used for any purpose that airport revenue may legally be used, including operational expenses and certain development projects, according to a media release from U.S. Sen. Jon Tester’s office.

According to Tester’s office, Montana airports have seen an 80 percent drop in passengers since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the vast majority of Americans to shelter-in-place. In addition, airports are facing new demands on operations, doubt about their ability to retain staff, increased pressure to reduce costs, and uncertainties about their ability to pay down debt obligations or complete projects.

“Montanans rely on our small community airports to keep our state connected, and the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed down traffic almost entirely,” Tester said. “I’m glad to have helped secure this funding at a critical time — it’ll help the Polson Airport keep up with their day-to-day operations so that when this crisis is over, they can continue serving their community and driving our economy.”