The city of Oak Harbor and Kenmore Air Express are working together to obtain a federal grant to promote the Oak Harbor Airport and create a new transportation link between the Navy base and the airport.

But it will cost money to apply for the grant. The city and Kenmore Air will split the $10,000 price tag for hiring a consultant to write the grant application.

If the grant request is successful, the city will receive from $150,000 to $180,000 from a small community air service development grant to fund up to three years of program costs. The city would have to provide a 10 percent match, possibly from lodging taxes.

Last week, the Oak Harbor City Council approved an agreement with the Seattle firm Bucher, Willis & Ratliff, Inc., to prepare the grant proposal. The initial consultant fee is $7,500, and if the application is successful, another $2,500 will be billed to the city.

City Supervisor Paul Schmidt said it made sense to hire a consultant, instead of relying on staff to write the application, because “it’s a rather specialized field.” Also, he said the city is under time constraints to get the paperwork in.

Schmidt characterized the grant program as very competitive. He said it will be phased out after next year.

According to Schmidt, the U.S. Department of Transportation grants are aimed at improving small community airports that are underutilized. The city’s grant proposal will be to better advertise the private airport through marketing and promotional efforts. Also, it would fund a ground shuttle from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station to the airport.

Councilman Jim Campbell pointed out that nobody can force sailors to take the air shuttle if they don’t want to.

Island Transit, the county’s free bus service, doesn’t currently have a direct route between either the Ault Field or Seaplane bases and the airport. But sailors could get to the airport on Island Transit with a transfer at Harbor Station in downtown Oak Harbor.

You can reach News-Times reporter Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewstimes.com or call 675-6611.