The purpose of this grant award is for assistance to gain or improve air service for eligible small community air service development (scasdp) communities

The City of Safford received an $800,000 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Immediate Office of the Secretary under the Payments for Small Community Air Service Development Program (CFDA 20.930) effective April 18, 2025. The grant funds activities designed to establish or enhance scheduled air service connections to the national air transportation system for the Safford community. Primary deliverables include execution of a minimum revenue guarantee agreement with an air carrier to provide service to the recipient and/or marketing initiatives to improve and promote air service within the scope of the signed grant agreement.

The intended outcomes are the development and sustainability of new or additional air service that expands Safford's connectivity to the national air transportation system. The grant will benefit local residents, visitors, and businesses through improved scheduled air service access. The City of Safford has indicated no intention to subaward funds, with all activities to be performed directly by the recipient. The project period extends through January 11, 2030, providing a four-year implementation timeline for service development and marketing activities.

Activities

The community will enter into an agreement for a minimum revenue guarantee with an air carrier to provide service to the recipient, and/or for marketing to improve service, within the scope of the signed scasdsp grant agreement.

Expected outcomes

That the recipient may be able to develop and sustain new or additional air service that provides additional connection(s) to the national air transportation system.

Intended beneficiaries

Local residents, visitors, and businesses will benefit from scheduled air service and the connection to the national air transportation system.

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds. "