info@flysle.com
info@salemaviation.biz

Grants

Home / Grants

The Fly Salem effort has funds from three grant sources- two Oregon and one Federal

Grant One: ROAR from Oregon Department of Aviation
The first grant was awarded by the Oregon Board of Aviation and administered by the Oregon Department of Aviation (ODA). It is called Rural Oregon Air Relief (ROAR) program, and we were awarded a $500,000 grant to pay for the following two items: 1) the recruitment process, including a professional consultant, and 2) the execution of a marketing plan once we acquire service. At least $200,000 will be available to market the new service and raise awareness throughout the region.
The grant money comes from aviation fuel taxes specifically earmarked for this kind of effort.
The Applicant and Grantee is the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce.
Grant Two: State Allocation for Salem Airport
In the 2022 short session, HD 19 Representative Raquel Moore-Green secured $540,000 for the Salem Airport in order to buy equipment and upgrades necessary to provide ground services for the carriers and TSA. This should allow for many years of services and open the airport up to additional charter flights. We appreciate her advocacy and help.
Grant Three: SCASD- Awarded in August 2022
The third critical grant, offered by the US Department of Transportation (DOT), is called Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD). We contracted with Volaire Aviation to write the grant applications. We submitted our 1st application in July 2019, but we were not selected. We submitted our 2nd application in February 2021 and were not selected. But the third time, we were successful!
The grant awarded $850,000 to be used as part of the Minimum Revenue Guarantee (MRG) fund. Combined with a matching private-sector $350,000 local fund, the MRG is $1.2 million. The City entered into an MRG agreement with Avelo Airlines to support up to 4 destinations (L.A., Las Vegas, Phoenix, and SF Bay Area). The City will administer the MRG, but the funds come from private sources plus this Federal SCASD grant.
John Paskell, Salem’s Airport Manager, is the applicant, but the application was composed by Volaire Aviation and paid for with private sector contributions and ROAR Grant funds. Travel Salem will be the fiduciary and holder of the private sector matching funds.
Local pledge dollars were secured to reach our $350,000 of matching funds and more. See the MRG page. We do not get there without local supporters.