$2 Million Pledged in Support of Local Air Service

ST. CLOUD - Some major progress reported in the ongoing initiative to create air service between St. Cloud and Chicago.

The news comes from the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation, who has spearheaded the initiative. They report that, since February, more than 95 businesses and individuals in the area have pledged more than $2 million in inbound and outbound flights between St. Cloud Regional Airport and O'Hare International Airport.

These individuals and businesses have committed to first-year partnerships valued between $250,000 and $300,000.

The St. Cloud Regional Airport, built in 1995, was remodeled in 2009, the same year it lost air service.

The GSDC says the estimated annual economic impact of reinstated local air service has been estimated at $17 million.