The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded $14.8 million in Small Community Air Service Development Program grants to 20 communities in 16 states.
The program assists small communities maintain and build air service options, conduct marketing to promote existing service, restore lost service, conduct studies on the possibilities of expanded service, and address other challenges.
Nearly all the selected communities provided a specific plan and timetable for using funding, and established public-private partnerships to enhance community participation and facilitate access to air services. Many of the communities provided letters of support from interested air carriers.
The communities will supplement federal funding.
“Air service to small communities is crucial to regional economies, which is why we are proud that these grants will help improve air service in 20 smaller communities across 16 states,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
Communities receiving funding are Dubuque, Iowa, $1.5 million; Del Rio, Texas, $1.2 million; Billings, Mont., and Richmond, Va., $1 million; Idaho Falls, Idaho, $950,000; Tri-Cities, Tenn., $900,000; Monterey, Calif., Ithaca N.Y., Traverse City, Mich., South Bend, Ind,. and Chattanooga, Tenn., $750,000; Yakima, Wash., $700,000; Lynchburg, Va., and Ft. Wayne, Ind., $600,000; Peoria, Ill., Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Fargo, N.D., and Monroe, La., $500,000; Gulfport-Biloxi, Miss., $365,000; and Springfield, Ill., $250,000.