Washington, D.C. — Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed a $1.1 million grant — funded by the historic CARES Act that became law on March 27th — from the Federal Transit Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), for the American Samoa Department of Public Works.

The FTA notified Congresswoman Amata that the Public Works Department completed the application, and fulfills the necessary requirements under Section 5307 for formula funds of $1,105,059.

“Congratulations to Fiatuiga Faoa-Danielson, the program manager for this effort, and Director Faleosina Voigt, upon obtaining these CARES Act funds for our islands,” said Aumua Amata.

 “Thank you to my friend, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams as they focus on their leading priorities of safety, infrastructure investment, and innovation,” she continued.

According to the grant details, American Samoa will use this CARES Act support for personnel, vehicle maintenance, fuel, purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), vehicle cleaning, and communication costs under the Dial-a-Ride program qualifications as part of response and recovery efforts from COVID-19.