CHICO, Calif. — The city of Chico is one step closer to welcoming a commercial airline.

The city announced Friday that it had just received a $1 million federal grant from the Department of Transportation to help restore commercial air service.

The money brings the city’s revenue guarantee fund to just under $2 million, which will put the city in a more competitive position to bring in an airline, according to Airport Director Tom Bahr.

The fund will be offered to airlines if they fail to generate revenue during their initial start-up period.

“We know our community has wanted it for many years since he left, eventually it will be there, we feel it’s getting closer and closer,” he said. “Once we succeed, we would like to expand it, add more roads, so once that happens there could be more fundraising.”

Bahr says they’ve had positive discussions with one specific airline, and he hopes the new funds will make them more attractive to others.