Economic Development at Small Regional and GA Airports

Economic Development at Small Regional and GA Airports Finding Your Place In Today’s Economy Mike Hainsey, A. A. E. Executive Director Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTR) Columbus, Mississippi *

Economic Survival n THE MESSAGE n n n Airports are economic engines Communities need a viable airport to grow Smaller airports may need non-traditional means to survive *

The Landscape Has Changed Airlines cut service n Fuel prices n Air travel drops doubledigits n to cut ks with pla stic Southwest y % in 2009 USA Toda pacity by 4 ca n n The result: Airport revenues go down Fewer fli ghts, hig As the cos her fares t of jet fu el rises cut capacity. s, 6 leadin g e lin an Air ic Amer bs jo more MR ent A s' par airlines 00 cut 6, 5 to or 2009 Pass enger Boa rdings Jackson -12. 4% Gulfport -34. 9% Tupelo -33. 8% Delta Cuts Flights 20%-- Greenville -38. 9% cuts workforce by 75 K

Taking A Success Story & Building On It Golden Triangle Regional Airport Year: 1999 Jobs: 57 total *

Taking A Success Story & Building On It American Eurocopter (EADS NA) Ø Makes helicopter for civilian and military use Ø 400 jobs @ $55 K Ø 300, 000 sq ft

Taking A Success Story & Building On It Severstal Columbus Ø Russian steel “mini-mill” Ø $1. 6 billion facility Ø 650 direct jobs Ø Numerous spinoffs Ø Rolled steel for commercial and auto use

Taking A Success Story & Building On It Aurora Flight Science Ø UAV manufacturer Ø 80, 000 sq ft facility Ø 300 high tech jobs

Taking A Success Story & Building On It PACCAR Ø Parent company for Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks ØMaking Dutch diesel engine Ø$500 million facility Ø 850 high-paying jobs

Taking A Success Story & Building On It Stark Aerospace Ø Subsidiary of Israel Aerospace ØMakes UAVs and other defense products Ø 200 high-tech jobs--$55 K+ Ø 110, 000 sq ft

Taking A Success Story & Building On It Golden Triangle Regional Airport PACCAR Year: 2009 Aurora Total New Jobs: 2750 Economic Investment: $3 billion+ Am. Eurocopter Steel Mill Stark Aerospace

Other Factors n Columbus AF Base n n n 12 Air Miles from GTR Busiest AF Base in the world Airport business n n Control tower Fuel O & M costs State-funded second ILS (BRAC initiative) *

The Future n GTRA has become a hub for Economic Development n n n Airports must take an active role in Community Development Part of a team Normally the only expert in aviation matters *

The Future n Air Service n n n Regional airports hit hard One major deal does not mean new service! Economics of regional service n International travel a plus

How To? n Find your niche! n Use team approach Local leaders n State agencies n Congressional delegation n n Think regional!

How To? n Find your partners Universities n Convention/Visitor Bureau n n n Quality of Life Aviation agencies FAA n State DOT n State airports assn n

Summary Airports are economic engines n Aviation sector is a challenge financially n n Smaller airports hit hardest Airports must diversify to survive n Find your niche and develop it! PACCAR n Aurora Am. Eurocopter Stark Aerospace Steel Mill *