AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. — Business owners in Airway Heights are readjusting their expectations now that millions of dollars in federal funding have been pulled from a planned local aerospace facility.
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that it was pulling funding from the Tech Hubs program, which aims to build up the tech industry in cities across the country.
The canceled funding includes $48 million previously allocated toward a planned aerospace facility in Airway Heights near Spokane International Airport. The American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC) was expected to create hundreds of local jobs.
Now, instead of preparing to open, the building is sitting empty.
“Any kind of business or anything that’s going to bring more jobs is always going to be good,” said Justin Davis, co-owner of Wolffy’s restaurant in Airway Heights
Davis said he is disappointed at the facility’s uncertain future.
“The more money, the more people it brings and the more families it brings in. That’s more businesses and more competition to the area. A lot of businesses don’t necessarily want to see competition, but competition is good,” he said.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick defended the decision in a statement, saying, “This decision is about fairness and making prudent choices with hard-earned taxpayer dollars.”
He said the DOC will re-do the entire application and selection process and that previously awarded facilities must re-apply to be considered.
New selections are expected to be announced in early 2026.
The AMMC said it plans to reapply.
Despite this setback, local politicians remain hopeful about the project’s future. Spokane County Commissioner Al French is advocating in Washington D.C. for the funding to be restored.
“We continue to believe this is a valuable investment – not just for Spokane, but for America’s broader aerospace and defense supply chain. President Trump has always stood for a strong, self-resilient America. I too support that vision and will continue making the case that this funding be restored,” he said.
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