As the folks in Leavenworth County debate whether to move forward with a new county airport, proponents got a major boost Wednesday.
The Kansas Aviation Economic Impact Study was released and reported that airports in Kansas support more than 73,000 jobs, $2.7 billion in payroll and produce $10.4 billion in economic activity.
The study, funded by a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, assessed the impact of the state’s eight commercial airports and 132 general aviation airports.
Leavenworth Countycommissioners debated the airport issue Monday. One of the principal questions locally is what kind of economic impact the airport would generate. Basically, would it be worth it to spend the money on a new airport?
Based on results of the impact study released Wednesday, the answer is a resounding yes.
Kansas Transportation Secretary Deb Miller said she was surprised by just how much airports, both larger hubs and smaller regional sites, contributed to the state. Along with releasing the study, the Transportation Department handed out 20 grants around the state totaling $1.3 million for various airport projects. Leavenworth County was not among them, because a consensus has not yet been reached locally.
The county would be wise to move forward on nearly $150,000 in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration that would fund a site selection study, as well as approve expenditures on the economic and environmental studies and a site plan that includes a business park.
It’s time to get onboard.
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As the folks in Leavenworth County debate whether to move forward with a new county airport, proponents got a major boost Wednesday.
The Kansas Aviation Economic Impact Study was released and reported that airports in Kansas support more than 73,000 jobs, $2.7 billion in payroll and produce $10.4 billion in economic activity.
The study, funded by a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, assessed the impact of the state’s eight commercial airports and 132 general aviation airports.
Leavenworth Countycommissioners debated the airport issue Monday. One of the principal questions locally is what kind of economic impact the airport would generate. Basically, would it be worth it to spend the money on a new airport?
Based on results of the impact study released Wednesday, the answer is a resounding yes.
Kansas Transportation Secretary Deb Miller said she was surprised by just how much airports, both larger hubs and smaller regional sites, contributed to the state. Along with releasing the study, the Transportation Department handed out 20 grants around the state totaling $1.3 million for various airport projects. Leavenworth County was not among them, because a consensus has not yet been reached locally.
The county would be wise to move forward on nearly $150,000 in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration that would fund a site selection study, as well as approve expenditures on the economic and environmental studies and a site plan that includes a business park.
It’s time to get onboard.
