Operations at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport accounted for nearly 4,800 jobs and $212.5 million in payroll in 2010, according to a report released Tuesday by the airport and the Illinois Department of Transportation.
The total , economic spin-off of $536.6 million was the largest among downstate commercial airports, according to the report.
Springfield was ranked fourth statewide after O’Hare International Airport and Midway Airport in Chicago, and Chicago Rockford International Airport in Rockford.
In addition to air carriers, the airport is home to a variety of aviation and general businesses, education programs, Federal Aviation Administration operations and the Air National Guard.
“We have always known our facility had a major economic impact, both locally, as well as statewide,” airport board chairman Frank Vala said in a statement.
The state analysis included 116 airports.
http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x1156351212/Springfield-airport-ranked-first-in-downstate-economic-impact