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Clallam County to consider letter backing Port Angeles bid for federal small‑community air grant
Summary
Port Angeles staff asked the Clallam County commissioners for a letter of support for a U.S. DOT Small Community Air Service Development Program application to establish small‑plane service to Boeing Field; presenter said the grant typically supports a ramp‑up of 3–5 daily flights and can run up to five years while carriers pursue financial sustainability.
Catherine asked the Clallam County Board of Commissioners on April 20 to authorize a letter supporting Port of Port Angeles’ application to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Small Community Air Service Development Program, which she said helps smaller communities secure scheduled air connections to the national air transport network. Catherine said the county previously sought essential air service designation and is pursuing this grant now to fund a minimum‑revenue guarantee that would make a Port Angeles–Boeing Field route viable.
County commissioners pressed Catherine on program length and market assumptions. Catherine said funding typically is available for up to five years, though the program’s design is to get service to financial sustainability within about three years. She described the proposed startup service as “between three and five daily flights” and said the initial flights would enable the county and carrier to evaluate demand patterns (times of day, load factors and return legs) before settling on a permanent schedule.
Commissioners asked why the Port is targeting Boeing Field rather than SeaTac or other nearby airports. Catherine said insurance and other operational requirements make SeaTac difficult for small carriers and that Boeing Field provides better proximity both to SeaTac and downtown Seattle, which broadens the product for business, medical and international‑connectivity trips. She said Port staff had evaluated other nearby regional airfields, including Olympia and Paine Field, and that Boeing Field rose to the top because of location and likely passenger demand.
The board signaled support for placing the letter on the regular meeting agenda next week. The county did not take a final vote at the work session; Catherine thanked commissioners and left the matter for formal placement on the next regular agenda.
