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 Missoula County Airport Authority received a $875,000 Project Grant 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) on April 28, 2025. This award supports the development and enhancement of air service connectivity for the Missoula community through a minimum revenue guarantee agreement with an air carrier and marketing initiatives designed to attract and sustain new or improved air service routes. The recipient will not subaward these funds and intends to execute all activities directly.

The grant funding will enable Missoula County Airport Authority to establish conditions that support new scheduled air service connections to the national air transportation system, with direct benefits accruing to local residents, visitors, and businesses. The project extends through January 11, 2030, providing a comprehensive timeline for service development and market establishment. As a reimbursable grant award, funds will be distributed based on eligible expenses incurred in furtherance of the airport's air service development objectives, consistent with the Small Community Air Service Development Program's focus on enhancing aviation access in underserved communities.

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. "