FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 19, 1998
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) announced today that the House Aviation Subcommittee has passed an amendment to the Airline Service Improvement Act that would relieve Fergus Falls of its obligation to pay a local match for participating in the Essential Air Service Program.
"Congressman Oberstar, the Ranking Democrat on the Transportation Committee, was able to insert this amendment at my request," Peterson said. "This is just the first step, but because this is now part of the Chairman's version of the bill, there's a good change that the full Transportation Committee will approve this when they vote on it next week.
"Fergus Falls does not currently have an air carrier so this doesn't have an immediate effect, but it will relieve the City of Fergus Falls and the State of Minnesota from having to pay for 25 % of the cost of providing essential air service once they get one," Peterson said. "It should also make the job of attracting an air carrier to Fergus Falls easier. This is good news for the people and businesses of Fergus Falls and the surrounding area."