OFFICIALS WITH TRI CITIES REGIONAL AIRPORT ARE HOPING TO USE AN OLD FINANCIAL TOOL TO HELP BOOST FLIGHTS IN THIS DOWN ECONOMY. THE TRI IS EXPECTED TO USE A HALF-A-MILLION DOLLARS IN GRANT MONEY TO ENTICE AN AIR CARRIER TO ENTER THE TRI CITIES MARKET WITH LITTLE OR NO DIRECT COST FOR ONE TO TWO YEARS. RIGHT NOW, THE AIRPORT OFFERS FLIGHTS BY DELTA CONNECTION TO ATLANTA AND CINCINNATI, U.S. AIRWAYS SERVICE TO CHARLOTTE AND ALLEGIANT AIR SERVICE TO FLORIDA. IN THE PAST, THE GRANT MONEY WAS USED IN ADVERTISING EFFORTS BUT THIS TIME, IT WILL BE USED TO ATTRACT A NEW CARRIER.