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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 9, 2006 Schumer, Clinton Announce $150,000 In Federal Dollars For Chautauqua County/ Jamestown Airport Jamestown Airport Will Use The Money To Market Improved Air Service
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded $150,000 for the Chautauqua County/ Jamestown Airport under the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP). The federal dollars will be used to help market their improved air service in the region.
"This is great news for Jamestown, since its goal of this program is to improve air service and lower prices for residents in smaller communities," Senator Schumer said. "One of the first things businesses look at when they consider moving to a new location is whether there are good air service options in the area. I've been fighting tooth and nail to protect programs like this so help can keep flowing to New York. This will help the Jamestown airport as they market their service to Cleveland to the entire region."
“This is great news for Jamestown, helping to connect the region with one of the biggest airline hubs in the country. It is important that we do everything we can to increase the number of flights and connections into Jamestown, because more flights mean more options for tourists and business travelers, which means more jobs and more opportunities for the city and the entire region," Senator Clinton said.
"During my conversations with local businesses it has been made clear that there is a significant demand for air traffic services into and out of the Chautauqua County Airport. Unfortunately many are not aware of the service that will be provided by our new carrier to Cleveland International Airport. I am thrilled that Senator Schumer and Clinton have secured additional funding for us to promote this new service to Cleveland to increase the number of passengers using the County Airport,” said Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards.
The federal funds will by the Jamestown Airport to market the community’s new Essential Air Service to Cleveland. Local sources will contribute an additional $25,000 to the effort. Jamestown is receiving one for 25 grants nationwide totaling just under $9.7 million to help smaller communities around the United States improve their air service.
The Small Community Air Service Development Program helps communities address the challenges of local air service, such as high fares and insufficient levels of service. The grants will be used by communities around the country for programs such as financial incentives to air carriers, studies to determine air service needs, and marketing programs that encourage communities to use commercial carriers offering local air service. Only those communities with insufficient air service or unreasonably high airfares are eligible to participate in the program. Schumer and Clinton have fought hard to fully fund program such as this and other federal programs that aid small rural airports in upstate New York like the Essential Air Service (EAS) and Airport Improvement Program (AIP).
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