News Releases for August 2005
August 25, 2005
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
Hoeven Announces $675,000 DOT Grant For Hector Airport
Funding Could Attract New Service To America West's Phoenix Hub
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today announced that Fargo’s Hector International Airport has received a $675,000 Small Community Air Service Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The funding will be used to offset start-up costs involved in potentially introducing service from Fargo to the Phoenix hub, and from there, points west.
Hoeven congratulated airport authority officials and welcomed news of the expanded service. “As our economy grows and expands, the ability to link with ever larger parts of the country and world is crucial,” Hoeven said. “This grant money will help the community of Fargo, Hector International and the region it serves by working to provide expanded service to the western United States for residents and emerging businesses.”
Hoeven last April contacted DOT Secretary Norman Mineta to approve the grant, saying “new non-stop, low fare service will benefit businesses, leisure travelers, students, senior citizens and residents of the region by opening up the local market to increased competition and West Coast, Hawaii and Mexico destinations.”
Specifically, the grant will help airport authorities continue negotiations with America West to add non-stop flights to the airline’s Phoenix hub. Airport managers believe this new service could help to lower fares on routes in the western U.S. and stimulate traffic at Hector International Airport. America West is currently in the process of merging with U.S. Airways, a move that is expected to be finalized in late September or early October.
E-mail comments to the Governor
