Presentation Complete With Sound Effects

The Texas Department of Transportation was mighty impressed last week when leaders from Athens and Henderson County presented their proposal for increased funding to Athens Municipal Airport.

The Athens Review reports almost 30 leaders from both governments crowded into a small room for the presentation, which included the sound of a Gulfstream jet overflying Athens on its way to an airport with a runway capable of accommodating it.

TxDOT Aviation Director David Fulton was reportedly startled by the huge turnout, saying, "In fact, it's as good as any I've seen in the last 30 years," he said. "It shows us that you've done your homework."

The city-county delegation reportedly told TxDOT:

• Not having a runway for larger corporate jets has a tremendous negative impact on economic development in Henderson County.
• Athens Municipal Airport usage is up almost 14 percent over the last five years.
• Twenty-seven jet owners have indicated they would use Athens Municipal if it had an adequate runway.
• Athens Municipal has 8,000 operations per year, which is projected to increase to 20,000 by the end of this decade.
• Henderson County is the 45th largest county in Texas, but its only public-use airport runway is much shorter than runways in similar size and much smaller counties.
• Projections of growth from the Texas State Data Center estimate Henderson County will have 95,308 residents by the year 2010.
• The new airport runway is critical to the infrastructure needed to maintain economic growth.
• The average time needed to land in Tyler and drive to Athens is about one hour.

  

  
   
  "You have made a very persuasive presentation," Fulton said after Athens AOPA member Chip Perryman finished his Powerpoint presentation. At least two members of the TxDOT delegation said they would support the idea of expanding Athens Municipal.

FMI: www.athenstx.org