small community air service development grant

Efforts to attract an airline to St. Cloud Regional Airport just got a big shot in the arm. The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded St. Cloud Airport a $750,000 Small Community Air Service Development Grant. Airport Director Bill Towle says they will match that with $250,000 locally to create a contingency fund for any airline willing to commit to regularly scheduled flights.

A big meeting tomorrow morning in the ongoing effort to attract an air carrier to St. Cloud. St. Cloud area businesses, community leaders and members of the public will gather at the St. Cloud Public Library. They'll hear from several speakers who are involved in transportation, economic development and air travel.

Stearns and Benton counties have agreed to contribute $10-thousand each to help attract an air carrier to the St. Cloud Regional Airport. The money would be added to a federal grant worth $750-thousand and used to ensure an airline was able to make the minimum revenue necessary to keep operating.