Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., says the Yakima Airport will receive a $290,000 grant to boost travel service to Seattle and establish a new flight to Portland.

Cantwell says the money comes from the Small Community Air Service Development Grant Program. The grant is being matched by the City of Yakima.

The money will go toward marketing existing Alaska Airline flights between Yakima and Seattle and it will also fund a new direct flight to Portland. Cantwell's office says the plan includes a revenue guarantee for the airline.

The city had applied for the grant and Cantwell backed up their application, writing to U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Fox that air service in Yakima "is critical for continued economic development and sustainability."

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