TOPEKA—The Kansas Department of Commerce has awarded the Salina Airport Authority a $3,325,000 State of Kansas Aviation Opportunity and Funded Training (ALOFT) program grant, according to a media release from agency.
Aviation and aerospace manufacturers in Kansas have experienced challenges maintaining a qualified workforce. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic highlighted opportunities and gaps in Kansas’ aviation industry workforce, one of the State’s most economically significant sectors.
The program is providing up to $20,000,000.00 in grants to aviation and aerospace manufacturers, supply chain providers, and local airports for training and workforce development initiatives.
The award announcements were made in June. In addition to the Salina Airport Authority, six companies in Wichita including Textron Aviation and Spirit Aerosystems and one company in Olathe received grants.