FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – In October 2023, with the leadership of the City of Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski, the Mayor’s Air Service Expansion Committee was formed to address growing concerns with flight options from the Grand Forks International Airport (GFK). The Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation (EDC) supported the mayor by aiding in convening local businesses and community leaders. The group met and collected feedback to address the root issues leading to the current circumstances of air travel at GFK.
“To address the shrinking air service options and expand flight availability at GFK, we knew that the local business community would have to play a vital role,” said Keith Lund, EDC President & CEO. “From demonstrating demand for flights by prioritizing flying through GFK and financial support for grant-matching funds, regional businesses and organizations would have to be at the table for this to be successful. Thanks to the tremendous leadership of Mayor Bochenski, the community stepped up to support the initiative.”
Feedback collected at the first committee meeting showed a few different challenges. There are inconvenient flight times at GFK due to Delta cutting daily flights in and out. Western air service out of GFK is unavailable, with one primary airline route to Minneapolis. Lastly, the overall cost of airfare is higher compared to airports within an hour’s drive.
With the unique circumstances of air service expansion, the committee recognized that they would need the support of a specialized organization. The Grand Forks City Council approved a request for qualifications to contract with a firm that possessed the necessary qualifications and expertise to assist. The Meehan Aviation Group (TMAG) was retained in April and has been working aggressively to address the challenges and expand offerings at GFK.
Throughout the rest of April, TMAG, the City of Grand Forks, Mayor Bochenski, The Chamber of Commerce of Grand Forks / East Grand Forks (Chamber), the Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority (GFK), and the EDC worked collaboratively to create a plan of action. The plan included applying for a Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) grant. The grant funding would guarantee that a new airline coming to the community would not suffer financial losses as they build a clientele for the new service. To demonstrate the demand for additional air service to airline officials, the group collected business community feedback through surveys and listening sessions, compiling the information.
TMAG and GFK leadership attended the Jumpstart Air Service Development conference in May. While attending the conference, they met with all major airlines to educate them on the business growth happening in the Grand Forks region and to promote additional air service options at GFK. Through the conversations at the conference, they requested Delta add one additional daily flight at GFK, bringing the total to four instead of three. Most importantly, they secured a letter of intent from SkyWest, a partner of United Airlines, stating they would work with GFK and the community to develop non-stop service to Denver.
The expansion of air service options at GFK is dependent on receiving the SCASDP grant, which is awarded based on application quality. There are three parts to a strong application. First is support from an airline, which was achieved with a letter from SkyWest expressing the possibility of the new service to Denver. Second is an engaged business community, accomplished through the Mayors Air Service Expansion Committee. Third is the 40-50% financial commitment to match the $1,000,000 federal grant request. This was achieved by the City of Grand Forks’ financial contribution and pledges from 34 regional businesses and organizations.
Throughout June and July, the EDC and the Chamber rallied the business community around the need for financial pledges and letters of support. Letters of support were procured to submit to Delta Air Lines requesting additional flights at GFK and for the SCASDP application. The EDC spearheaded asking for a financial commitment from private sector businesses and civic organizations totaling up to $200,000. During the effort, the Grand Forks City Council approved a $300,000 contribution, which accelerated the business community pledges. The final amount of collected pledges is $209,000. The EDC is one of the 34 organizations leaning in to support additional air service, with the Board of Directors approving a contribution of $25,000 to the initiative. Pledges will be called upon if the grant is awarded and a new service is secured. Additional financial support was achieved with in-kind contributions. GFK will be waiving some typical fees such as landing fees for the airline that expands. GFK and other community organizations also pledged marketing support promoting the new air service. A total of nearly $1.086 million in matching funds and in-kind contributions have been pledged leveraging the SCASDP financial request by approximately a 109% match.
The SCASDP application was officially submitted Tuesday, July 23, by the Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority to the US Department of Transportation. Applicants will tentatively be notified of their application status this fall. If Grand Forks is successful in receiving the SCASDP grant award, GFK and TMAG will immediately begin working with SkyWest to develop non-stop service to Denver.
Pledging Organizations
- AE2S
- Alerus
- Altru Health System
- American Crystal Sugar
- Black Gold Farms
- Bremer Bank
- Choice Bank
- City of East Grand Forks
- City of Grand Forks
- Crary Real Estate
- Edgewood Healthcare
- First State Bank
- General Atomics – ASI
- Gershman Enterprises
- Grand Forks Region EDC
- Grand Forks Subaru
- Hal’s Steakhouse
- Happy Harry’s Bottle Shops
- Ideal Aerosmith
- JLG Architects
- Minnkota Power Cooperative
- Nodak Electric Cooperative
- Norby’s Work Perks
- Northern Tier Seed Company
- Opp Construction
- PCL Community Contractors
- PS Industries
- Rydell Cars
- Sanford Health
- Sproule Farms
- The Chamber of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks
- True North Equipment
- University of North Dakota
- University of North Dakota Alumni Association and ND Foundation
- Visit Grand Forks
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