December 27, 2011
The Patrick-Murray Administration has announced the results of a comprehensive statewide airport economic impact study that finds Massachusetts public airports generate $11.9 billion in economic activity and support approximately 124,000 jobs. Regionally, the airports in Norwood, Plymouth, Marshfield, Mansfield, and Taunton generate a combined $119.1 million for the regional economy, supporting 827 jobs.
“The Commonwealth’s airports create jobs, economic development and transportation options,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “A strong regional economy depends on our investments in infrastructure, including the airport facilities in these five communities.”
The major general aviation airports in the region include Norwood Memorial Airport, Mansfield Municipal Airport, Marshfield Municipal Airport – George Harlow Field, Plymouth Municipal Airport, and Taunton Municipal Airport – King Field.
The Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study completed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Aeronautics Division with the assistance of the Federal Aviation Administration measured the total economic impact of the 39 public-use airports in Massachusetts, including Boston Logan International Airport. The airports’ $11.9 billion in economic activity and 124,000 related jobs reflects commercial airline service, military aviation, emergency law enforcement and medical transport activity and general aviation.
Along with the release of the study, Governor Deval Patrick proclaimed the month of November as “General Aviation Month.”
?These South Shore airports are critical to the regional economy, creating jobs directly while making many more jobs possible in the private sector,? said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey.
“The economic impact study confirms what the aviation community statewide understands about the vital role our airports play in providing safe transportation for commerce, military, and recreational users,” said Christopher Willenborg, MassDOT Aeronautics Division administrator.
In addition to federal and local investments, the MassDOT Board of Directors in the past two years has approved additional infrastructure investments in the Commonwealth’s airports, including a $13.4 million grant for runway extension and safety at the Pittsfield Municipal Airport and $13.1 million toward a new terminal building at Barnstable Municipal Airport, in addition to annual ongoing airport maintenance improvement projects statewide.
The Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study executive summary is available on the web:
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/portals/7/downloads/aero_economicStudy_111021.pdf
http://mansfield-ma.patch.com/articles/study-shows-mansfield-airport-strong-economic-contributer
Source: MANSFIELD PATCH
Date: 2011-12-27