Flagstaff airport staff told commissioners Dec. 17 they plan to apply for the Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) grant and are asking the city and local businesses for financial and in‑kind support to make the application competitive.

"Keeping on the theme of grants, today we're gonna talk a little bit about the small community air service development program," staff member Claire said, describing SCASD funds as usable for "revenue guarantees, marketing, or to offset startup costs." She said the airport has applied repeatedly and been a finalist in past cycles but has not yet received an award.

Why it matters: SCASD grants are among the federal tools small airports use to attract or retain airline service. Staff said the program is competitive and favors communities that demonstrate funding commitments and letters of support from carriers.

How Flagstaff plans to compete: Claire said the airport will pursue both cash and in‑kind match elements. In‑kind contributions can include waiving landing fees, rent or gate space; cash contributions historically have come from hotels, chambers and community partners. "We are hopeful and in conversations that we will be able, through the city budget process, to put some city money forward for this year's application," Claire said, and added the airport already has two letters of support from airlines for the upcoming application.

Staff highlighted examples of other communities that submitted sizable local support: Missoula, Montana (staff cited roughly $450,000 in local contributions) and a smaller Arizona community that provided a combination of public and private dollars. Commissioners and staff discussed typical SCASD award sizes and match expectations; staff said award sizes commonly are near $800,000 and that reviewers favor strong local commitments.

Commissioners suggested multiple outreach avenues: direct solicitation of local businesses and larger community partners, coordinating with Discover Flagstaff and the Chamber, and drafting a white paper or pledge template once the federal application opens (staff said industry insiders expect the application to open in mid‑January). Several commissioners also proposed grassroots or crowdfunding concepts to broaden participation, while city economic development staff cautioned about asking businesses already facing rising labor and operating costs.

What still needs to happen: staff said they will assemble a community outreach plan and point of contact to collect pledges and in‑kind commitments once the application window opens. They also said any city cash contribution would have to come from outside the airport fund because airport user fees cannot be diverted for the match.

The commission had no formal vote on the SCASD application at this meeting; staff said they will return with outreach materials and further details after the application opens.