St. Cloud To Hire Firm To Attract Air Carrier

ST. CLOUD -- St. Cloud Airport officials plan to hire the consulting company Forecast Inc. to help them attract an air carrier.

The airport is at risk of losing an annual $1-million Federal Aviation Administration grant if they don't get an airline here by the end of the year.

Forecast Inc. has had success in attracting additional air service to airports in Wyoming, Colorado and Washington. The city's Air Service Task Force is recommending the hire and 70-percent of the cost will be paid for through state grants.

If Forecast Inc. secures an airline here, the one-year contract will be extended another year so the company can monitor performance, fares and marketing.

The city has budgeted the $6,300 local share and the city council is expected to give the go-ahead at tonight's meeting.

The total cost of the contract in the first year is $21,000.  If Forecast Inc. secures an airline in the first nine months, the price of the contract will increase from $1,750 per month to $4,000 per month.