For 14 years, EconAlliance has driven economic vitality in Northern Santa Barbara County. On behalf of the diverse industries we represent, EconAlliance CEO, John Fowler, wrote to Brooke Chapman, Associate Director, Small Community Air Service Development Program, Office of Aviation Analysis in New Jersey in support of a grant to reinstate legacy hub service to SFO .

Dear Ms. Chapman,
I am writing to express our unwavering support for the Santa Maria Public Airport’s (SMX) SCASDP grant application.

The Santa Maria Valley is the industrial and agricultural engine of our region, supporting a trade area of 165,000 residents, 1,000+ businesses, and a workforce of over 53,000. Our economy is anchored by high-growth sectors, including advanced manufacturing, a robust healthcare network of 400+ establishments, and a world-class agricultural core.
Despite this productivity, regional growth remains throttled by restricted air access. Reinstating legacy hub service to San Francisco (SFO) is a strategic necessity, not a convenience; currently, logistical friction forces our industries to travel significant distances to reach global markets. Securing this grant will provide the essential “first-mile” connectivity required to sustain:

• National Security & Aerospace: Our business community is inextricably linked to the missions at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Restoring legacy service is critical for the specialized contractors and professionals who maintain our nation’s space and defense infrastructure.
• Key Industry Success: Direct hub access supports our high-stakes sectors in aerospace, energy, high-tech, and communications.
• Regional Development: With annual industrial and residential development valuations reaching $97M, improved air service is vital to maintaining this momentum and supporting the workforce housing necessary for our region’s future.

EconAlliance is fully prepared to partner with SMX to ensure this service is both successful and sustainable. We will leverage our deep business-to-business networks and strategic outreach capabilities to champion this connection.

We respectfully urge the Department of Transportation to approve this request. It is a high-yield investment in the continued prosperity of a vital California economic corridor.

Respectfully,

John Fowler
CEO, EconAlliance