March 18, 2020
The state of North Dakota, and five cities across the country, issued proclamations designating March as “General Aviation Appreciation Month.” To date, every state and hundreds of towns and cities across the U.S. have acknowledged the value the industry brings to communities and companies across the country.
North Dakota
North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said the state has a “significant interest in the continued vitality of general aviation” with 89 public-use airports serving 3,900 in-state pilots and more than 2,100 based aircraft.
The aviation and aerospace industry plays an increasing role as an economic catalyst in the state, creating over 32,000 jobs statewide and contributing an estimated $3.6 billion annually to the state’s economy.
“North Dakota is home to one of the leading unmanned aircraft systems test sites in the nation where research is being conducted to help integrate this new industry into the National Airspace System,” Burgum added. “Furthermore, North Dakota was selected as one of the nation’s unmanned aircraft systems integration pilot programs.”
View the North Dakota state proclamation.(PDF)
Also issuing a proclamation from North Dakota in March was Grand Forks Mayor Michael Brown.
View Brown’s proclamation, (PDF)
New Mexico
Albuquerque Mayor Timothy Keller said that according to a 2016 economic impact report, New Mexico’s general aviation airports contribute $2.3 billion to the state’s economy, and in Albuquerque, Double Eagle II Airport (AEG) has an immense impact on the city as well as the region.
View Keller’s proclamation. (PDF)
Tennessee
Proclamations were issued this month by Lebanon, TN Mayor Bernie Ash and Knoxville, TN Mayor Indya Kincannon. General aviation provides more than $1 billion in economic impact to the state.
View Ash’s proclamation. (PDF)
View Kincannon’s proclamation. (PDF)
West Virginia
Fairmont Mayor Brad Merrifield said Fairmont Municipal Airport (4G7) is part of a critical national infrastructure that needs to be preserved to ensure future economic growth in the area, and that investments need to be made to make sure the next generation of aviation pilots and professionals can use the airport.