Blountville, TN—Tri-Cities Regional Airport, TN/VA is one of 29 small airports across the United States to be awarded a Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) grant from the US Department of Transportation. The $250,000 grant will be used to entice an air carrier to provide nonstop service to Dallas/Fort Worth, or other frequently requested hubs.

An important element in the selection process each year is the community’s willingness to contribute financially toward the air service development program. The Tri-Cities Airport Commission will contribute $132,000 in the form of marketing dollars and waived landing fees for one year. However, it will be necessary to raise $50,000 in matching funds from the community in the next few weeks in order to be able to take advantage of the grant.

“This is the second time Tri-Cities has been awarded a SCASD grant since the program started in 2002,” said Melissa Thomas, TCRA director of marketing and air service development. “We were fortunate to receive a grant the first year the program was available and used it to gain Northwest Airlines service to Detroit and Delta Air Lines service to Orlando. This time, we are specifically focusing on recruiting Dallas service to complement our existing hubs.”

In determining grant recipients, the Department of Transportation was directed to give priority to communities where (1) funds will be used to encourage competitive air fares, (2) a portion of the project’s cost is provided from local, non-airport revenue sources, (3) there is a public-private partnership to facilitate air carrier service, (4) the aid will benefit a broad segment of the traveling public, and (5) the funds will be used in a timely manner. Tri-Cities met all of these requirements and had already done much of the background work necessary for recruiting new service.

TCRA has until October 30, 2011 to accept the grant. The Airport is looking for partners to assist with raising the required community match.

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