Economic/Air Service Studies Completed
Landrum & Brown has also completed economic analysis, including an aviation forecast that assesses future demands for air service in the region, and an economic analysis of the air passenger market. In a nutshell, these reports confirm, due to the limitations on expansion and operations at Friedman, that the number of passengers utilizing Friedman cannot increase in the future and a replacement airport will stimulate new air service and produce a $30 million annual positive impact from new visitor spending, increased economic activity associated with improved air traffic and new employment.
Nearly 500 new jobs are projected as a direct result of a replacement airport. While the specific economic projections were calculated prior to the economic downturn of 2009, the findings clearly indicate that a significant positive economic impact will result from a replacement airport regardless of the economic events of the last year to 18 months.
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