Atlanta Rejects $37M in Federal Airport Funds Over DEI Dispute

Atlanta is declining more than $37 million in federal funding for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after city officials rejected a grant tied to diversity, equity and inclusion requirements.

According to CBS News, the money was slated for projects aimed at improving passenger experience, including taxiway upgrades and bathroom renovations.

In a statement, the city — which owns and operates the airport — said it remains confident the work will move forward using money from the airport’s capital improvement program.

“It’s confident that the airport will be able to pursue alternative funding to advance these projects without impacting customers or airport service providers,” the statement said.

The decision comes as Mayor Andre Dickens has continued to voice his support for DEI initiatives. In his State of the City address earlier this year, Dickens declared Atlanta would resist efforts to roll back diversity policies.

“When they try to tell us that diversity and inclusion are something to run away from, we will fight back and show them that our diversity is what makes us strongest,” Dickens said.

The city said it is currently evaluating its options to ensure municipal policies remain in compliance with federal law.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed some of the funding could still be available if Atlanta chooses to enter into a grant agreement during the next fiscal year.

Hartsfield-Jackson is the world’s busiest airport, serving more than 100 million passengers annually. Airport leaders emphasized that rejecting the grant would not disrupt operations or customer experience in the near term.

The move reflects broader tensions between local governments and federal agencies over the future of DEI programs. Atlanta officials framed the decision as a matter of preserving flexibility, while critics argue the city is passing up critical federal resources.

For now, airport leaders and city officials are working to identify alternative funding sources to ensure planned renovations and upgrades continue on schedule.