Washington Business Winter 2018 | Washington Business | Page 52

business backgrounder | economy
Disembarking at Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport.
“What we found is if there’s an airport near businesses, the
businesses tend to be more vibrant, in general, compared to
a business that’s not near an airport,” said Hodgman, who
has an MBA from St. Martin’s University and spent 24 years
— Mike Ennis, AWB Government Affairs Director
as an Army helicopter pilot.
In fact, 97 percent of the state’s gross business income is
created within 10 miles of an airport.
Business activity is facilitated by the easy access created by airports.
And with their large land base and key locations, airports are also potential hubs of business activity
themselves.
As part of its look at how to enhance economic self-sufficiency for airports, in light of their large
ongoing capital needs, WSDOT is helping airport operators look at revenue potential.
Aviation-related clients, especially aerospace manufacturing, are a natural fit, but in other cases
airports can host business parks or other revenue-generating activities. In most cases airports are already
served by electricity, water, sewer, roads, a security fence and — of course — easy access by air.
“That’s a good place to have businesses,” Hodgman said.
Mike Ennis, AWB government affairs director for transportation and aviation, said AWB will continue
to remain engaged on aviation issues. Not only are airports an important resource for employers and
their communities, but many business owners and operators also have a pilot’s licenses and fly their
own planes.
“Airports are important to rural areas and
important to the state as a whole.”
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