Program Aims To Spur Growth At Smaller Facilities

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell announced Thursday that four state airports will begin marketing efforts to raise community awareness and attract more passengers with the help of a federal and state investment of nearly $440,000.

"With this money, smaller airports can increase their visibility in their communities and ensure that Pennsylvanians around them know about the valuable service they provide," Governor Rendell (right) said. "Airports are good business partners, providing revenue, jobs and services, and we're pleased to help them enhance their community presence."

The airports receiving funds are Venango Regional, John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County, Altoona-Blair, and Lancaster. Altoona-Blair and Lancaster airports will each receive $65,625. Johnstown Cambria County and Venango Regional airports will each receive $153,127.

The airports will use the funds in various combinations of TV, radio and outdoor advertising efforts, as well as for Web site improvements.

The state portion of funding --- $104,168 from PennDOT's aviation development program --- comes from the state's jet fuel tax and leverages more than $83,000 in local matching funds.

The US Department of Transportation is providing $333,336 in grants through the small community air service development program, which is funded through the federal general account. A maximum of 40 grants are awarded each year, with no more than four going to any individual state.

Public-use airports in the commonwealth are eligible for the aviation development program. Pennsylvania has 134 public-use airports and heliports and 14 airports have scheduled-commercial service.

FMI: www.governor.state.pa.us, www.dot.gov, www.dot.state.pa.us/