Nov. 15, 2017
Local officials in eight communities around the country recognized the value of general aviation in November. To date, hundreds of mayors and city councils have highlighted the importance of general aviation, including business aviation, to their towns and regions.
Alabama
Clanton Mayor Billy Joe Driver and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox both wrote that their local airports have “an immense economic value” on their cities.
Alabama is home to 77 public-use airports, which serve more than 7,000 pilots and more than 4,400 general aviation aircraft. The state also is home to 71 fixed-base operators, 57 repair stations and 96 heliports.
General aviation in Alabama contributes more than $3.1 billion to the state’s economic output.
View the Clanton proclamation. (PDF)
View the Tuscaloosa proclamation. (PDF)
Georgia
Three Georgia mayors highlighted the importance of general aviation this month: Carrollton Mayor Walt Hollingsworth, Dallas Mayor Boyd Austin and LaGrange Mayor Jim Thornton.
“General aviation not only supports Georgia’s economy, it improves overall quality of life by supporting emergency medical and healthcare services, law enforcement, firefighting and disaster relief, and by transporting business travelers to their destination quickly and safely,” according to the proclamations.
General aviation contributes more than $1.2 billion to Georgia’s economy.
View the Carrollton proclamation. (PDF)
View the Dallas proclamation. (PDF)
View the LaGrange proclamation. (PDF)
Idaho
Moscow, ID Mayor Bill Lambert wrote, “General aviation and the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport have an immense economic impact on Moscow with a current estimated growth of 7.1 percent annually.”
According to the latest figures, general aviation supports 7,900 jobs in the state, resulting in $342 million in labor income. Idaho is home to 128 public-use airports.
View the Moscow proclamation. (PDF)
Texas
Kerrville Mayor Bonnie White and San Marcos Mayor John Thomaides each issued proclamations in support of general aviation, saying it was vital for the “continued flow of commerce, tourists and visitors” to the state.
General aviation in Texas supports more than 56,000 jobs, generates $14.6 billion in economic activity annually and plays a vital role in the state’s response to emergencies and natural disasters. There are 391 public-use airports in Texas, serving nearly 50,000 pilots.