A temporary program by the U.S. Department of Transportation will provide grants to eligible aviation manufacturers and maintenance businesses to retain, recall or rehire their workforces during the pandemic.
The Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection (AMJP) program will provide $3 billion in grants to businesses to pay up to half of their compensation costs for certain categories of employees for up to six months.
Eligible businesses include manufacturers of aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, or a component, part, or systems of an aircraft or aircraft engine under a Federal Aviation Administration production approval; or holder of a certificate issued under Code of Federal Regulations for maintenance, repair, and overhaul; or operators of a process certified to SAE AS9100 related to the design, development, or provision of an aviation product or service.
In addition, businesses must meet six requirements, including having involuntarily furloughed or laid off at least 10 percent of their workforce in 2020 or has experienced at least a 15 percent decline in revenues compared to 2019.
Businesses also must make several commitments in exchange for funding.
The AMJP program was created in the American Rescue Plan Act.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association encourages all eligible manufacturers and maintenance businesses to apply.