April 20, 2016

Across the United States, local leaders are continuing to recognize the value general aviation, including business aviation, brings to their communities and regions.

To date, more than 300 mayors, town and county councils and other officials have issued proclamations about the importance of general aviation. That’s in addition to top officials from all 50 states who also have affirmed the worth of the industry.

Here are the latest local proclamations:

  • Mayor Robert McDavid, of Columbia, MO, said his city’s local airport provides “immense economic impact” to Columbia, and his city and state have a “significant interest in the continued vitality of general aviation, aircraft manufacturing, aviation education institutions, aviation organizations and community airports.” Read the Columbia proclamation. (PDF)
  • Fernandina Beach, FL Mayor John Miller noted in his proclamation that “Florida’s general aviation/community airports accommodate more than 9 million visitors and business travelers annually.” Read the Fernandina Beach proclamation. (PDF)
  • The city of Joplin, MO recognizes the value of its local airport – Joplin Regional Airport, said Mayor Michael Seibert. “Missouri is home to 115 public-use general aviation airports, which serve 9,087 pilots and 3,953 active general aviation aircraft,” he added. Read the Joplin proclamation. (PDF)
  • “General aviation and the Lake Wales [FL] Municipal Airport have an immense economic impact on the city of Lake Wales,” Mayor Eugene Fultz wrote in his proclamation. Read the Lake Wales proclamation. (PDF)
  • Muskogee, OK Mayor John Coburn wrote, “General aviation is vital to many Oklahoma and Muskogee businesses that depend on it to increase productivity, reach far-off markets and move personnel, equipment and products.” Read the Muskogee proclamation. (PDF)
  • Popular Bluff Municipal Airport, in Poplar Bluff, MO, has a tremendous economic impact on the city, wrote Mayor Betty Absheer. “General aviation airports in Missouri support an economic impact of over $857 million annually,” according to her proclamation. Read the Poplar Bluff proclamation. (PDF)
  • City of Riverside, CA Mayor William Bailey, III, noted that “general aviation contributes over $30.2 billion to the state’s total economic impact and supports California’s economy.” Read the Riverside proclamation. (PDF)
  • Bob McPartian, mayor of Sebastian, FL, wrote, “The nation’s infrastructure represents an important public benefit and congressional oversight should be in place to ensure stable funding of this system.” Read the Sebastian proclamation. (PDF)
  • Washington Regional Airport, in Washington, MO, provides tremendous benefits to the city, Mayor Sandy Lucy wrote. “General aviation not only supports Missouri’s economy, it improves everyone’s quality of life,” she wrote. Read the Washington proclamation. (PDF)