The Rockford Area Economic Development Council (RAEDC) and the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois (CFNI) have partnered together to lend a strong hand of support in trying to bring Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to the Rockford area. Embry-Riddle is looking to establish a third campus and had previously announced that Rockford, IL, particularly, Rockford International Airport, was one of the finalists in their hunt for the new location.
The two organizations, RAEDC and CFNI, have established a scholarship fund that will provide a total of $1,000,000 annually for students if the campus comes to Rockford. The organizations are accepting pedges for donations to reach the million dollar mark, and as of their last update, they are already halfway to their goal, showing total pledges of $500,000.
The fund is being established as an extra incentive to show Embry-Riddle the commitment the community is providing to bringing the school to the region. The scholarship will be awarded each year to students from throughout the midwest to attract them to the school and ensure they have the financial means to complete their studies.
If you are a Rockford Airport MilesAhead mailing list member, make your pledge through their form here. By entering on RFD's website, you will be entered for two-round trip tickets which will be awarded regardless of Embry-Riddle's decision. Every $10 pledge will provide an entry into the drawing. In addition, if you pledge at least $10 through RFD, you will receive a $25 voucher for a future flight out of the airport to any of it's destinations.
The organizations have stated that all pledges will be voided if Embry-Riddle does not select Rockford for it's third campus. To make a pledge for a donation if you are not a MilesAhead member, please visit the Rock the Air Scholarship website to complete the online form or to download a printable pledge form.
Per the Rock the Air page on the Rockford Airport website, attracting Embry-Riddle to Rockford is expected to bring over $400 million in economic impact annually to the region from jobs created, students and the other impacts of a large university presence. With over 13.1 million people living within 2 hours of Rockford, and dozens of aerospace and aeronautics companies in the region, the push and support has been tremendous.
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