County Officials Urge State Support for Airports, Aviation Industry

ALBANY, NY (10/19/2010)(readMedia)-- At its Fall Conference, the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), which represents the thousands of elected and appointed county officials throughout the state, formally recognized the critical role airports play in New York State's economy and urged the Governor and State Legislature to increase funding for airports and the aviation industry.

The resolution is in response to the inadequate levels of funding in the adopted state budget for airport development and infrastructure investment and the negative impact this will have on local economies and job growth.

"The importance of state investment in maintaining and developing aviation facilities to providing essential air service, general aviation support and enhanced homeland security cannot be overstated," said Carl Beardsley, President of the New York Aviation Management Association (NYAMA). "NYSAC and its elected and appointed leaders from county government continue to be vital partners with the aviation community and we welcome this most recent show of support," Beardsley stated.

NYSAC adopts resolutions at its Fall Conference that become its policy positions and agenda going forward and are used to educate the Governor and Legislature as to the priorities of county government.

The resolution supporting aviation says in part:

"State funding now directed to airport enhancement, expansion and development is minimal compared to what is provided for all other transportation infrastructure needs and falls woefully short of the funding levels as proposed in the Five-Year Capital Plan for Transportation-between $20 million and $30 million annually for the next five years."

Consequently, the resolution urges the Governor and the Legislature to increase the state budget appropriations for such programs as the State's Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and the popular AIR 99' program-which when funded, provides valuable financial assistance for vital infrastructure at airports across New York, funding aircraft hangars, repairs of existing facilities, safety enhancements and other important projects.

The NYSAC resolution resolves that:

"The New York State Association of Counties calls upon the Governor and the Legislature to provide reoccurring and reliable funding for the maintenance and development of the State's airports, allowing for the promotion of a safe and efficient air transportation system and to create high-level employment opportunities especially in the economically-challenged regions throughout New York."

NYAMA President Beardsley expects NYSAC support to be a tremendous help in his Association's efforts to increase state funding for the AIP and AIR 99' grant programs, "and insure that airports are recognized by the Governor and the Legislature as the economic engines they are, contributing over $35 billion in annual economic activity and approximately 350,000 New York State jobs," Mr. Beardsley concluded.

NYAMA represents over 120 airports and aviation organizations across New York. Our diverse membership includes small general aviation airports as well as large hub airports and aviation professionals from all walks of life. NYAMA has been the Voice of Aviation in New York for almost 35 years.