The State College Air Service Alliance—a strategic partnership between the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County, Centre County Airport Authority, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Penn State —is encouraging individuals and businesses to support regional air service by contributing to the Fly State College Fund.
Launched earlier this year at the State College Air Service Summit, the fund is open for public contributions of any size.
The Fly State College Fund directly supports air service growth by providing an incentive to attract and retain airlines and routes at State College Regional Airport. According to the alliance, the fund is an opportunity for community investment in reliable, competitive air service locally.
Only 13% of travelers within a 60-mile radius choose to fly from State College Regional Airport, with the remaining 87% driving to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg and other airports for direct flights to their destinations, according to a study by Volaire Aviation Consulting. Expanding flight options at State College Regional, the alliance says, would significantly reduce that travel burden and keep tourism and travel dollars in the region, supporting local jobs, hospitality and broader economic growth.
“The Fly State College Fund provides revenue guarantees, marketing support and financial incentives that go beyond what the airport alone can offer prospective carriers,” Greg Scott, president and CEO of CBICC, said. “This demonstrates that our community is invested in expanding air service locally and aware of its impact on our economy.”
Air service plays an important role in the region’s economic development, improving access for business and leisure travelers and fueling tourism and visitor spending, the alliance wrote in a news release. The Volaire study also identified the top destinations for Centre County travelers as Orlando, South Florida/Miami and St. Petersburg, Florida, reflecting strong demand for direct flights to Florida destinations from SCE.
“Investing in air service is a priority for economic development, including efforts to grow the economy through tourism,” said Fritz Smith, President and CEO of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. “Expanded flight options in key markets help to broaden our marketing reach and make it easier for more visitors to discover Centre County as a destination. In the process, greater support is provided to our small businesses, hotels, restaurants, events and attractions.”
For local institutions like Penn State, air service also serves as an important connector to the rest of the country and the world.
“Reliable air service helps support faculty recruitment, student travel, research activity, and visitation to our campus,” said Mike Stefan, Penn State vice president of government and community relations. “The Fly State College Fund is a tool that will help ensure the university and the region remain well-connected.”
The Fund complements CCAA’s ongoing air service development efforts, which include maintaining airport operations and engaging directly with airlines. So far, the fund has attracted contributions from major organizations including Alliance partners and local municipalities, as well as contributions from individuals and businesses in the community, totaling $130,000 of the fund’s $500,000 goal.
“It’s important that anyone in the community who would like to see enhanced service at State College Regional Airport gets involved now,” said Ralph Stewart, interim executive director of the Centre County Airport Authority. “This united, community-backed fund strengthens our airport’s case for new routes and additional service.”
Contributions to the Fly State College Fund can be made online at www.flystatecollege.com, or by mailing checks payable to the Fly State College Fund to the CBICC office at 131 S. Fraser Street, Suite 1, State College PA, 16801.
