Correction 1:20 p.m.: A previous version of this article misstated where the convention between cities and airline companies was held.
A now-defunct security checkpoint at the Salem Municipal Airport is used for little more than storage without commercial air service operating.
But Thursday, a business group used it as symbolism in making an elevator pitch of sorts, pleading for the community’s help to bring back commercial flight service. They say the service will be good for tourism and be a boon for local businesses.
“This is a return-on-investment ask,” said Dick Withnell, founder of Withnell Motor Company. “This is a business ask.”
Dozens of business leaders gathered to hear the latest updates and make financial contributions to the effort, which started a year ago.
Brent DeHart, owner of Salem Aviation Fueling, and a few others recently traveled to a convention bringing airliners and hopeful cities together. He said there were at least 50 cities there, and likened the talks with airliners as “speed dating.”
DeHart said he felt confident about SkyWest Airlines, a regional carrier that flies planes on behalf of bigger-name carriers like Delta, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
“Our goal at the conference was to get invited to have a second conversation,” he said. “We think we did that with SkyWest and United.”
It remains unclear which city would connect with Salem. DeHart said Denver, Seattle and San Francisco are all on the table. He said San Francisco was the best bet, however, because United plans to expand its business there.
DeHart and other leaders of the effort are hoping to convince a carrier to come back to Salem by showing it has community support – and finances. A pool of funds called a “minimum revenue guarantee” is designed to offset the early losses a carrier might incur.
That pot is now $608,000, DeHart said, up from $500,000 last month.
DeHart said the group hopes to reach $1 million. Information packets at the meeting included forms to pledge money, with some in the crowd asking for a pen to help.
Dale Van Lydegraf, who owns a remodeling company and real estate in Mexico, said he pledged $2,000 at the meeting.
“I want to see this go,” he said.
The effort was recently awarded an Oregon Department of Aviation grant worth up to $500,000. DeHart said they have applied for another $750,000 from the U.S. Department of Aviation.
Have a tip? Contact reporter Troy Brynelson at 503-575-9930, [email protected] or @TroyWB.
At Salem Municipal Airport’s security checkpoint, Brent DeHart updates the crowd on Thursday on efforts to bring commercial air service back to the city. (Troy Brynelson/Salem Reporter)
