The Bend Economic Department Advisory Board voted to throw ample support behind the proposal to bring a direct flight between Redmond and Los Angeles in the near future. 

Bend City Councilor Victor Chudowsky says having this direct link is vary important to Central Oregon's economy and the monetary investment is well worthwhile.

"One of the problems for Central Oregon's economy is our geographical isolation. A lot of people who run firms here or a lot of businesses who are interested in moving to Bend complain abut the fact that it's sometime hard to get here, to fly here from across the country or from Southern California in this case. This is kind of an investment in our local economy; to make it easier for businesses people and for tourists as well."

Chudowsky says it's a split the commitment: a 350-thousand dollar travel bank that will be shared with local businesses with them purchasing travel vouchers up-front.

The second part is a 100-thousand dollar revenue guarantee that goes to the Redmond Airport to get the service going and that cost will be shared by the city of Bend and other Central Oregon cities and counties.