Airports and Economic Sustainment A Case Study On the Airport s Role Mike Hainsey, A.A.E. Executive Director Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTR) Columbus, Mississippi
The Takeaway Corporations seeking to relocate or build new facilities will not choose areas without efficient, convenient access to commercial airline service. Rep. John Oberstar Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Transportation Spectrum Water Road Rail Air
Mississippi Commercial Service Airports In order of enplanements Jackson Gulfport Golden Triangle Meridian Hattiesburg Tupelo Tunica* Greenville
Air Service Cuts Delta Air Lines Terminating service at 3 airports Replacement carrier? Tunica Impact on Mississippi TBD
GTR A Study History Where we are Where we re going g
Golden Triangle Regional Airport Third busiest airport in state 8,002 x 150 runway Delta Air Lines service to Atlanta Business jets Flight training
Core Catchment Area Encompasses Approximately 230,000 People. 582,000 within 90 minute drive GTRA Catchment Area County Population Choctaw, MS 9,400 Clay, MS 21,820 Lamar, AL 15,920 Lowndes, MS 62,600 1/2 Monroe, MS 19,555 Noxubee, MS 12,240 Oktibbeha, MS 40,090 Pickens, AL 21,050 Webster, MS 10,460 Winston, MS 19,490 Total Population 232,625
Golden Triangle Regional Airport History Sept 1971 Officially opened Sponsored by Columbus, West Point, Starkville, Lowndes County 7 flights daily (Southern) 1987 GTR Airport Authority Formed Added Oktibbeha County
Golden Triangle Regional Airport Financial Airport operations have been self- sufficient for the past 25 years One of two in state in that position Exception, not the rule Community involvement for major projects
Golden Triangle Regional Airport Capital Improvements Over $28 million by end of year since 2004 Various Funding Sources FAA MDOT MDA Airport Loan Amount FY 2004 $1,440,175, FY 2005 $665,000 FY 2006 $4,077,000 FY 2007 $1,000,000 FY 2008 $1,750,000 FY 2009 $4,125,000 FY 2010 $9,000,000 FY 2011 $3,000,000 FY 2012 (planned) $3,400,000
Golden Triangle Regional Airport GTR circa 1999
Golden Triangle Regional Airport Post 9/11 recession Impacts on GTR Lost Northwest Airlines Ripple effect on budget Airport was in the red first time in 18 years Could not maintain financial status quo Had to grow our own passenger base
Golden Triangle Regional Airport Had to think outside the box! Non-traditional sources Big businesses were moving to small communities Lack of encroachment Cost of living An opportunity!!
Some Examples American Eurocopter (EADS NA) Make helicopters for civilian and military use 400 jobs @ $55K 300,000 sq ft
Some Examples Severstal Columbus Russian steel mini-mill mill $1.8 18billion facility 650 direct jobs Numerous spinoffs Rolled steel for commercial and auto use
Some Examples Aurora Flight Science UAV and composite parts manufacturer 80,000 sq ft facility 300 high tech jobs
Some Examples PACCAR Parent company for Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks Making Dutch diesel engine $500 million facility 850 high-paying g jobs
Some Examples Stark Aerospace Subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Makes UAVs and other defense products 200 high-tech jobs--$55k+ 110,000 sq ft
Columbus Air Force Base 12 Air Miles from GTR Provides Radar Approach Ctrl 350+ flights/day Busiest AF Base in the world
Columbus AFB Support 2004 Control Tower $1.8 million Congressional insert for funding Airport funds facility FAA funds controllers 2005 North Parking Apron $1 million Designed for T-1s Used when center runway closed for construction 2006 GPS approaches 2010 ILS Runway 36 $2.5 million 2011 Runway extension $8.6 million Gives more options for base aircraft
Building On Our Successes Golden Triangle Regional Airport PACCAR Year: 2012 Total New Jobs: 5200 Aurora Am. Eurocopter Stark Aerospace Economic Investment: $4+billion Steel Mill
Golden Triangle Industrial Aerospace Park 2,500 developable acres Water and sewer grant from RDA Marketed for aerospace and heavy industry
The Future GTRA has become a hub for Economic Development Airports must take an active role in Community Development Part of a team Normally the only expert in aviation matters *
The Future Air Service Regional airports hit hard One major deal does not mean new service! Economics of regional service International travel a plus The future is uncertain for small airports
Summary Airports serve a vital role in the transportation spectrum Move valuable resource the people To compete globally Mississippi i i i needs viable air transportation