Fort Wayne Airport Awarded $600,000 Grant to Attract New Flight

October 10th, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 10, 2013

Fort Wayne Airport Awarded $600,000 Grant to Attract New Flight

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) has awarded a $600,000 grant to the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority to help attract a new flight to Fort Wayne International Airport.

"This is great news for the Fort Wayne International Airport and a testament to our collaborative regional efforts," said Scott Hinderman, executive director of airports for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority. "We look forward to using the grant to expand our air service options for travelers in Northeast Indiana."

Over the last 12 months, the Airport Authority, Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership and Regional Air Service Committee have begun focusing efforts to support the expansion of air service to the Fort Wayne airport. In addition to collaborating on the grant application for this program, the group also undertook a business traveler survey and identification of targeted routes.

"We are pleased to be able to support the Airport Authority in its grant application," said Katy Silliman, vice president of regional initiatives at the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership. "Expanding air service options in Northeast Indiana, one of the priorities for Vision 2020, is critical for creating a highly competitive business climate in the region. Efforts like this support our mission to develop, attract and retain talent."

SCASDP is a grant program under the Office of Aviation Analysis. It is designed to help small communities address air service and airfare issues. Only 25 airports across 22 states were awarded grants under the SCASDP program. The grants total more than $11 million toward the implementation of air service initiatives.

Members of the Regional Air Service Committee include Brad Bishop, OrthoWorx; Sarah Bodner, AEP/Indiana Michigan Power; Jim Cook, JP Morgan Chase Bank; Tom Cottrell, BKD; Patrick Dooley, Greater Fort Wayne Inc.; Scott Hinderman, Fort Wayne Airport; John Hopkins, Sweetwater Sound; Ben Johnston, Fort Wayne Airport Board; Tom Jones, Crowe Horwath; Jeff Krudop, Travel Leaders; Mike Landram, Greater Fort Wayne Inc.; Jessica Miller, Fort Wayne Airport; Tim Pape, Carson Boxberger; Dennis Robinson, Visit Fort Wayne; Chris Shanks, Ford Meter Box; Andy Yergler; and Lauren Zuber, Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership.

Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority

The Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority (FWACAA) was created in 1985 and is responsible for managing the Fort Wayne International Airport and Smith Field Airport. Since FWACAAs inception, Fort Wayne International Airport has undergone an aggressive improvement plan which included expansion of the terminal and parking areas, upgrades to the runways, and the creation of an Air Trade Center and Foreign Trade Zone to promote economic development in Northeast Indiana. As a result of FWACAA's commitment to customer service, Fort Wayne International Airport was recognized by USA Today as one of the friendliest airports in the nation. The Authority is governed by a six-member board appointed by both the Mayor of Fort Wayne and the Allen County Commissioners. For more information about the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, visit www.FWAirport.com.

Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership

The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership was formed in 2006 to help build a globally competitive economy in Northeast Indiana. It is a public-private partnership creating business investment by generating business leads, developing product and fostering regional collaboration. In 2010, the Partnership launched Vision 2020 to bring the region together around five key areas for economic growth: 21st Century Talent, Competitive Business Climate, Entrepreneurship, Infrastructure and Quality of Life. The 10 counties of Northeast Indiana include Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley. For more information, visit www.NEIndiana.com.

###

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kim Fuhrmann
Marketing and Administration Manager
Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority
260.446.3435
Fuhrmann@fwairport.com

Courtney Tritch
Director of Marketing
Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
260.469.3460
courtney@NEIndiana.com