If hopes turn into reality, a new shoppers' plan could lead to a war chest of tens of thousands of dollars for developing and preserving airline service to the Wood River Valley.
Now on sale, the Access Sun Valley card allows shoppers to buy goods at discounted prices at dozens of valley businesses covering a range of consumer interests—arts, restaurants, physical fitness, automotive, sporting goods, theater and a variety of retail outlets,
The annual cost of $150 per card can be easily recovered—and more—according to Neil Morrow, manager of the Fly Sun Valley Alliance's airline program.
The program's goal by early next year is to sell 1,000 cards, with more in future years, to build a fund of tens of thousands of dollars to underwrite air service to the valley from California cities such as San Jose, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oakland, as well as Denver and beyond.
Other ski resorts, such as Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Jackson Hole, Wyo., have successfully conducted similar consumer card programs that've raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to increase airline service with subsidies, known as minimum revenue guarantees.
Morrow said a successful program here would relieve Sun Valley Co. of being the prime source of guarantees for current Horizon Air service from California.
The card's creator, local real estate agent Pam Colesworthy, also points out that the program will help boost retail sales and help revive the valley's sagging economy.
Cards can be purchased at the Ketchum-Sun Valley Visitors Center in Ketchum at Sun Valley Road and East Avenue, online at www.accesssunvalley.com or by calling 309-5114.
The new Access Sun Valley card is on sale in Ketchum and online.
