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At its August meeting the County Legislature unanimously accepted a $28,500 federal grant for engineering design of runway improvements at the Oswego County Airport. While this may not seem like a significant amount of money, it reflects the longstanding commitment of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other agencies of the airport's importance to Oswego County's economy and quality of life. Over the past several years about $15 million - mostly in federal FAA grants- has been invested in the county airport.

There's a public perception that the county airport only benefits well-to-do-owners of private planes, but nothing could be farther from the truth. According to a study two years ago by the state Department of Transportation, the airport in Volney had a direct economic impact of over $7,100,000 to the county's economy and was directly responsible for 129 jobs.

Airports - both large and small - play an increasingly vital role to an area's economic development strategy. The aviation industry is immensely important to a region's economy and especially to the communities that are served by airports. Even small non-airline facilities, like the county airport in Volney, provide access to air transportation and relieve congestion at busy commercial airports like Hancock.

Of course the Oswego County Airport only employs a handful of people, but the number of local industries and businesses that use the airport on a regular basis is another story. In addition to about 75 aircraft that are based at the facility, it is frequently used by local companies such as Constellation Energy, Entergy Nuclear, Fulton Boiler Works, Wal-Mart, the Perdue Company, several private aircraft charters, and elected officials including Governor Pataki and Senators Clinton and Schumer.

There's been a constant waiting list for new hangar space. To alleviate the shortage, the county is in the process of accepting bids for construction of another 10-bay tee hangar.

When I assembled the Strategic Planning Task Force in spring 2004, the county airport was one of the facilities that I asked the task force to scrutinize. Two of the subcommittees made independent evaluations of the airport. They both concluded that the airport is an asset that is largely self-sufficient.

They recommended that the county continue to enhance the airport by bringing in water and sewer, complete installation of the Instrument Landing System (ILS), and develop an overall marketing program to better promote the facility.

As important as the airport is to the economy of Oswego County, we must also be mindful of its role in homeland security. Transportation and communication infrastructure are critical components of a community's emergency response capability.

The airport will continue to be an important asset to Oswego County, thanks to the dedication of its staff, under the direction of Bruce Bisbo, and the many citizens who have supported its development. I'd like to extend a heartfelt thanks to each member of the Airport Advisory Board, along with members of the task force subcommittees, for their hard work and commitment to our community.