Grants
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The Fly Salem effort has used 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 (ODAV). 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. This grant fund is now closed, but was instrumental in getting us successful Avelo service. The grant was awarded to and managed by the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce.
The grant money came from aviation fuel taxes specifically earmarked for this kind of effort- no City of Salem funds were used and the City was not a party to this grant process.
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 was $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 administered the MRG, but the funds come from private sources plus this Federal SCASD grant. Unfortunately, Avelo exited the entire West Coast market, and SLE lost its service after 22 months.
The Salem Airport Manager, was the applicant, but the application was composed by Volaire Aviation and paid for with private sector contributions and ROAR Grant funds. Travel Salem was the fiduciary and holder of the private sector matching funds, and likely will be again for the next MRG.
NEXT: In Spring 2026 Salem applied for a new SCASD Grant- a program of the U.S. Department of Transportation. In addition, the Fly Salem Foundation has been invited to apply for a grant through Travel Oregon that could potentially add $1.5 million to the recruitment package. No news is expected until Fall 2026 at the earliest.
Local donor funds have been used and are helpful. See the MRG page. We do not get there without local supporters.