Lee County Airports Benefit Region's Economy

Southwest Florida International, Page Field pump in $3.8 billion
BY LAURA RUANE

Lee County‘s two airports pumped an estimated $3.8 billion into the region in 2009.

That’s from the Florida Department of Transportation’s recently completed study of airport economic impacts across the Sunshine State. The county Port Authority released area-specific data from the study Tuesday. Among the highlights:

–Southwest Florida International Airport put more than $3.7 billion into the local economy from airport and airport-related activities, and accounted for 41,588 jobs.

–Page Field General Aviation Airport contributed $94.5 million, and was responsible for more than 987 jobs.

Statewide, the study credited aviation for an estimated $114.7 billion in annual economic output.

In light of the economic downturn, “these are good numbers,” county airports spokeswoman Victoria Moreland said. It wasn’t clear when a comparable statewide study had been done.

The study focused on 19 commercial airports, 102 general aviation airports, and 11 military facilities.

Economic impact studies like this are important for airports and communities, said Daniel Petree, dean of the College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.

The studies help airport leaders decide whether their business strategies and product mix are working, Petree said, adding: “If you’re going to public authorities to make a case for new capital improvements, you want to be able to show they will have a very positive impact on the community.”

http://www.news-press.com/article/20100616/BUSINESS/6160351/1014/Lee-County-airports-benefit-region-s-economy

Source: THE NEWS PRESS
Date: 2010-06-16