Fund aims to strengthen regional air service and expand connectivity at State College Regional Airport.
CENTRE COUNTY, PA – December 9, 2025 – The State College Air Service Alliance—a strategic partnership between the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County (CBICC), Centre County Airport Authority (CCAA), The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), and Penn State University—is encouraging individuals and businesses to support regional air service by contributing to the Fly State College Fund. Launched earlier this year at the State College Air Service Summit, the fund remains open for public contributions of any size.
The Fly State College Fund directly supports air service growth and provides opportunities for community investment in reliable, competitive air service at State College Regional Airport (SCE). As the Fund continues to grow, the Alliance is calling for contributions from businesses and individuals in and beyond Centre County who recognize the regional benefit of strong, sustainable air service. Contributions to the Fly State College Fund serve as Centre County’s community incentive to attract and retain air service and routes at SCE.
According to a study by Volaire Aviation Consulting, only 13 percent of travelers within a 60-mile radius of SCE choose to fly from the airport. The remaining 87 percent drive to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and other airports to access direct flights to their destinations. Expanding flight options at SCE would significantly reduce this travel burden and keep tourism and travel dollars in the region, supporting local jobs, hospitality, and broader economic growth.
“The Fly State College Fund provides revenue guarantees, marketing support, and financial incentives that go beyond what the airport alone can offer prospective carriers,” said Greg Scott, President & CEO of CBICC. “This demonstrates that our community is invested in expanding air service locally and aware of its impact on our economy.”
Air service plays an important role in the region’s economic development, improving access for business and leisure travelers and fueling tourism and visitor spending. Volaire’s study also identified the top destinations for Centre County travelers as Orlando, South Florida/Miami, and St. Petersburg, Florida, reflecting strong demand for direct flights to Florida destinations from SCE.
“Investing in air service is a priority for economic development, including efforts to grow the economy through tourism,” said Fritz Smith, President and CEO of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. “Expanded flight options in key markets help to broaden our marketing reach and make it easier for more visitors to discover Centre County as a destination. In the process, greater support is provided to our small businesses, hotels, restaurants, events and attractions.”
For local institutions like Penn State University, air service also serves as an important connector to the rest of the country and the world.
“Reliable air service helps support faculty recruitment, student travel, research activity, and visitation to our campus,” said Mike Stefan, VP of Government and Community Relations at Penn State. “The Fly State College Fund is a tool that will help ensure the university and the region remain well-connected.”
The Fund complements CCAA’s ongoing air service development efforts, which include maintaining airport operations and engaging directly with airlines. So far, the fund has attracted contributions from major organizations including Alliance partners and local municipalities, as well as contributions from individuals and businesses in the community, totaling $130,000 of the fund’s $500,000 goal.
“It’s important that anyone in the community who would like to see enhanced service at State College Regional Airport gets involved now,” said Ralph Stewart, Interim Executive Director of the Centre County Airport Authority. “This united, community-backed fund strengthens our airport’s case for new routes and additional service.”
Contributions to the Fly State College Fund can be made online at www.flystatecollege.com, or by mailing checks payable to the Fly State College Fund to the CBICC office at 131 S. Fraser Street, Suite 1, State College PA, 16801.
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About the State College Air Service Alliance
The State College Air Service Alliance is a partnership between the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County, the Centre County Airport Authority, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, and The Pennsylvania State University to maintain and grow air service at the State College Regional Airport. The Alliance works collaboratively to retain and attract commercial air service, enhance connectivity to major destinations, support regional economic development and tourism, and improve quality of life through expanded travel opportunities.