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The Fly Steamboat Program was established in 2000, as a community partnership between the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, the City of Steamboat Springs, the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association and local businesses to financially support air service into the Yampa Valley. Every year local businesses make contributions to help bring American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines into Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN) during the ski season. The program has also supported air service in the summer and fall since 2004. All businesses in the Yampa Valley from both Routt and Moffat counties can benefit from the continued growth of reliable air service into Yampa Valley Regional Airport. There are a few more benefits to participation.
Click here to download the 2008/ 2009 Fly Steamboat Contribution Form.
The Merchant Pass Program was developed by the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, in coordination with the Chamber, to allow local businesses to lock in early season rates on season passes for their winter season employees with a nominal deposit. This allows the employer, who in most cases will not be hiring seasonal staff until the November timeframe, to attract and retain quality employees by offering the benefit of the early season pricing for passes, coupled with deferred payment.
Chamber members that support and participate in the 2008/09 FLY STEAMBOAT Air Program can purchase merchant passes at the early season rate of $979 with a down payment of only $100 per pass. Additionally, the Rocky Mountain Ultimate pass is available for $1054 and the 20 Day SUPER VALUE Pass can be purchased for $799 with a $100 deposit. (Non-supporters can access the Merchant Pass for $1,329 or a Rocky Mountain Ultimate Pass for $1,404 with a $450 deposit per pass.)
a. Companies can participate in the FLY STEAMBOAT Air Program with a minimum contribution of 1% of sales for lodging properties and .25% of sales for all other businesses**. Contributions will be due in full by March 1, 2009. Any business contributing in excess of $5,000 must pay half by March 1, 2009 with the remainder due in full by September 30, 2009 or have an acceptable payment plan approved in advance. Please call Sandy at the Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association at 875-7007 for more information.
b. ** .25% of $1,200,000 = $3,000; .25% of $800,000 = $2,000; .25% of $400,000 = $1,000; .25% of $200,000 = $500, etc. Not-for-profit organizations or businesses facing other circumstances may obtain a minimum by calling Sandy at the Chamber at 875-7007.
c. Lodging properties in the Local Marketing District do NOT need to contribute and are automatically on the Merchant Pass list and are able to access all the benefits listed below.
d. Lodging properties outside the LMD must contribute to the FLY STEAMBOAT Air Program to be able to access the Merchant Pass discounts and other benefits listed below.
All other terms and conditions of the Merchant Season Pass program apply. Your Merchant Pass packet should arrive within the next 10 days or contact the Steamboat Ticket Office at 871-5252 for more information on this program.
Businesses contributing a minimum of $1,000 will receive a chance in the airline ticket drawing for free tickets on major airlines
With a completed form, businesses can take a 25% credit on their state income tax forms for any contribution to the FLY STEAMBOAT Air Program made during a January calendar year. Enclosed forms must be completed and returned to the Chamber accounting office before quarterly reporting can begin.
Lists of participating businesses will be updated regularly and distributed to lodging properties, restaurants and all other participating businesses. Participating businesses pledging prior to October 1 are also listed in the winter Dining Guide.
1. The 2% lodging tax, matched by the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. secures the winter flight programs. However, the projected overall costs of the winter program combined with the spring, summer and fall air service are not entirely met by these two funding sources. Securing the air service agreements has become increasingly challenging and costly due to current, record high jet fuel costs and the overall volatility of the airline industry. Our community is best served by bringing healthy, year-round, competitive air service into our regional airport, and diversifying our carrier base, which will improve customer service and pricing. Our move towards year round competitive air service not only benefits our tourism industry, our residents who travel for leisure or business, or our second home owners, but also our many location neutral employers and employees who highly value accessibility to NW Colorado. 2. The airport expansion project will allow us to grow our air service program into the future. We have made a commitment to the Board of County Commissioners that the business community would put their money where their mouth is. Our total commitment is to raise $500,000 over 5 years towards the $17,000,000 airport expansion project. Local Marketing District funds are not allowed by statute to be used for any building or capital projects. An expanded terminal and improved ramp space, allows us the ability to grow the winter air service, moving forward, in conjunction with the growth in lodging (pillows) planned over the next 2-10 years.
We hope that you will join us and do what you can to help us reach our goals. Everyone wins with FLY STEAMBOAT and year round competitive air service – the customers, the businesses, our employees and the City with sales tax revenues. Please complete the enclosed commitment form today and return it to the Chamber (P.O. Box 774408, fax 879-2543) at your earliest convenience so that you won’t miss out on any benefits. If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Evans Hall at 875-7007.
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