A Flight Path for Local Economic Development

Reinventing general aviation airports spark economic growth for communities.

For years, general aviation airports have dotted the American landscape, providing services and access to business and recreational aviators alike. A far cry from the roughshod landing strips used by barnstormers during aviation’s early days, these regional facilities have reinvented themselves to focus on providing amenities, safety, and security to the general aviation market.

But these pillars of the aviation industry have another side—one that has made them an important contributor to the national economy and to their local communities. For, without a doubt, general aviation airports are a catalyst for economic growth and development.

In an October 2003 report, the TSA’s Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC) noted the existence of more than 18,000 “landing facilities” across the nation to serve general aviation. Statistics from that report indicate that the general aviation industry provides nearly 650,000 jobs, with impressive earnings of about $20 billion annually. Even more significant is the bottom-line impact (direct and indirect) to local economies, which exceeds $102 billion each year.

Cultivating a Symbiotic Relationship

That’s no surprise to Chris Spann, PE, a program manager in PBS&J’s National Aviation Division, who points to Pearland Regional Airport (PRA) as a case in point. A privately owned general aviation airport located in Brazoria County, Texas not far from Houston, PRA currently houses well over 200 aircraft used for business and recreation. “The Pearland economy has been positively impacted by ongoing operations at the airport at every turn,” says Spann “and its expansion program is icing on the cake.”

Since 2002, PRA has undergone a major renovation, encompassing improvements to the airport terminal apron, taxiway system, and hangars through a combination of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants and private investments to bankroll the efforts. Funding was obtained largely through the efforts of Andy Rivera, PRA’s airport director and visionary who, according to Spann, has orchestrated the evolution of the airport. As a result of the phased and well executed improvements, PRA has been able to attract new tenants and aviation-based businesses to complement existing airport operations, strengthening the bottom line for not only the airport but its host community.

Needless to say, the 200-plus jobs provided by the airport and its $6-million payroll have had a positive impact on the city of Pearland’s economy and bolstered its tax base; as have the growth opportunities that have brought kudos from Pearland’s Economic Development Corporation. But the benefit to the local economy hasn’t ended there. The symbiotic relationship between the city and PRA has also fostered a series of creative land swaps, facilitating expansion of the local transportation network while providing the room necessary to sustain future airport development plans.

“PRA is all about economic development,” says Rivera, who’s been at the airport’s helm for eight years. “The reconstruction of the airport is the result of a great team effort by PBS&J, the FAA, TxDOT Aviation, and our corporation. Together, we are developing an airport capable of creating the employment, tax base, and economic development opportunities sorely needed in Northeast Brazoria County and in this part of Pearland.”

Planning for Value

Mike Willingham, executive director of the Sebring Airport Authority, would agree with PRA’s approach. Over the past 14 years, Mike Willingham has used a similar philosophy to reshape Sebring Regional Airport, transforming it from a World War II era airfield into thriving hub of planned growth and community development.

When taking over the Airport Authority reigns in 1991, Willingham quickly recognized that the airport had been neglected, was financially insolvent, and overshadowed by The 12 Hours of Sebring, an internationally recognized sports car race staged on airport property. Determined to make the airport viable, Willingham adopted the principles that have guided the Authority ever since: run the airport as a business, accept it as a platform for economic and real estate development, and develop valuable relationships.

To run the airport as a business, Sebring has always focused on the front-end process—programming, planning, and marketing—with the belief that funding would soon follow. “Mike and his staff have never let funds dictate their vision,” says Bill Lutrick, a senior project manager in PBS&J’s Florida Aviation Planning Division, and long-time consultant to the Sebring Airport Authority. “They’ve always developed their plans and then gone after the money and resources to execute them, not the other way around.”

This approach has provided the impetus for nearly 60 projects at Sebring over the past several years, covering runways, taxiways, and landside improvements including a master drainage system and a new commerce park. Each project was undertaken to create value at the airport. According to Willingham, “Most airport managers think of their airports in terms of pavement—runways, taxiways, and all that good stuff.”

“But for general aviation to be successful, you have to think about the real estate development side,” he says. “This includes the economic impact to the community and the non-aviation revenue opportunities, because general aviation doesn’t necessarily pay its own way.” Driven by that view, Sebring—a recent winner of the Florida Department of Transportation’s General Aviation Airport of the Year award—has attracted a diverse group of tenant businesses, from light manufacturing to cattle farming.

By using all of the tools at its disposal—and not forgetting to forge all important relationships with agencies, its governing board, and its peers—Sebring has developed into an important and valued player in Highlands County, Florida, with a bright future on the horizon.

For more information, click Making an Impact: Pearland Regional Airport Benefits Aviators/Local Economy