CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — TSA workers at Charleston International Airport are receiving financial help during the partial federal government shutdown through a loan program backed by the airport.
The airport has partnered with Beacon Community Bank to offer unsecured personal loans to qualified federal airport workers who have worked nearly 50 days without pay. The airport is covering the interest charges on the loans.
“They’re suffering and it’s really unfair. These aren’t people who make a lot of money to start with,” Elliott Summey, Charleston Regional Airport president and CEO, said.
The Emergency Federal Employee Loan Program provides funds for rent, utilities and other essential expenses. Workers do not have to put up collateral to qualify for the loans. Brooks Melton, president and CEO of Beacon Community Bank said, “We believe that the ‘community’ isn’t just part of our name- it’s at the heart of everything we do. When the airport reached out, we didn’t hesitate. These federal employees are members of our local community just like you and me. We’re proud to be involved.”
Summey said TSA workers at Charleston International Airport continue to perform at optimal levels despite the shutdown. On one recent day, about 13,000 people passed through the checkpoint with an average wait time of eight minutes, he said. Wait times in Chicago, Atlanta and New York exceeded two hours.
“We’ve got the best airport in the United States. And I’ve got the best TSA workers and I can prove that fact,” Summey said.
The loans are backed 100% by the airport. Summey said the airport must charge interest because of the Fair Lending Act, but workers should not be penalized with additional costs.
“End of the day, they didn’t ask for this mess; they inherited it. We didn’t ask for it either. But we’re in it together, because we’ve got the greatest airport in the United States,” Summey said.
Charleston airport offers interest-free loans to unpaid TSA workers
