Oct. 27, 2016

Local officials across the country – from Florida to Idaho – recognized business aviation this month for the value it brings to their city, state and region.

Florida

Bill Barnett, mayor of Naples, said, “General aviation plays a critical role in the lives of our citizens, as well as in the operation of our businesses and agriculture.”

Florida is home to 110 general aviation airports, helping make it the No. 2 state for aerospace and aviation establishments in the country. More than 8.5 percent of Florida’s gross state product results from businesses dependent upon aviation.

View the Naples proclamation. (PDF)

Idaho

Proclamations were issued by the mayors of Idaho Falls, Kamiah and Nampa – all touting the benefit of general aviation.

“General aviation in Idaho contributes over $1.1 billion to the state’s total economic output,” the proclamations say. “General aviation supports 7,900 jobs in Idaho, resulting in $342 million in labor income.”

View the Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper’s proclamation. (PDF)

View the Kamiah Mayor Dale Schneider’s proclamation. (PDF)

View the Nampa Mayor Robert Henry’s proclamation. (PDF)

Minnesota

“General aviation not only supports Minnesota’s economy, it improves overall quality of life by supporting emergency medical and health care services, law enforcement, firefighting, disaster relief and by transporting business travelers to their destinations quickly and safely,” Grand Rapids, MN Mayor Dale Adams said in a proclamation.

Review the Grand Rapids proclamation. (PDF)

West Virginia

General aviation in West Virginia supports 5,300 jobs, resulting in $256 million in labor income, according to a proclamation from Morgantown, WV Mayor Marti Shamberger. The state’s airports support 1,806 pilots and 855 active general aviation aircraft.

“Local airports play a critical role in the lives of our citizens, businesses, communities and the state of West Virginia,” the proclamation states. View the Morgantown proclamation. (PDF)

To date, hundreds of lawmakers from around the country – representing all 50 states – have issued proclamations about the industry.