Coming off a year of revitalization, the Sullivan County International Airport, a rural regional airport located at heart of the Sullivan Catskills, is positioned to capitalize on the investment that completely rebuilt its terminal into a spectacular facility that captures the soul of the Catskills for pilots and travelers departing and landing there.
With a 6,300 ft runway, 600 acres and room for growth, County officials have positioned the airport to attract more traffic, more investment, and more opportunities in the years to come.
So, what is the likelihood that this will happen soon? One only need to look across the country, where thousands of small and general aviation airports serve communities near or a at a short distance from major hubs. While they lack the scale of large international airports these facilities deliver positive returns when appropriately invested in and act as a catalyst for job creation, business attraction, tourism, and regional development.
Real World Examples
A joint report by the National Association of State Aviation and the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials found that for every dollar invested in aviation facilities communities see an average return of $75 through business utilization. In Tennessee, a state DOT study revealed that 70 small and mid-sized municipal airports generate @20.5 billion in economic impact. In Texas, general aviation airports alone contribute more than 48,000 jobs and $9.3 billion in economic output. While in Gallatin County Kentucky, population under 8,800, a general aviation airport has already taken pressure off of larger hubs in Louisville and Cincinnati boosting economic development, tourism, and emergency services.
Airports Exhibit Multiplier Effect
Small airports create layers of impact.
Direct: Jobs at the facility include fuel sales, maintenance, administration, and training.
Indirect: Spending by airport users at local hotels, restaurants, transportation, and suppliers.
Induced: Broader ripple effects occur as employees and travelers spend locally across a variety of economic sectors.
Beyond Jobs
Small rural/regional airports help retain and attract businesses by enabling quick executive travel, emergency services, delivery of specialty goods and services and training. Already we have seen local destinations like the Monticello Motor Club, Resorts World Catskills, the FSH properties and a growing second home community increasingly utilize the Sullivan County Airport for their respective clientele and members. While challenges exist such as funding a variable usage here, the County has been setting the stage through a multipronged infrastructure investment strategy that will help the airport achieve its growth potential.
Complimentary Municipal Investments
Sullivan County has embarked in bolstering its broadband capacity, investing in its roadway network and its sewer and water capacity significantly. When completed these investments open the door to supporting the airport by attracting businesses in the tech industry, supply chain sectors and new housing developments that will meet the demands of the new economy. This connectivity across multiple fronts serves to attract the types of people, businesses and future opportunities that will continue to grow the airport as a resources for convenient, accessible, and timely transportation. The Sullivan County International Airport is surely poised for positive investment and growth well into the future.
