Remarks for Secretary Lyndo Tippet
Aeronautics Council/Board of Transportation Mtg.
Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006 at 10:30 a.m.
Board of Transportation Conference Room


Welcome and Introduction
Good morning, everyone.

I want to extend a warm welcome to the Aeronautics Council. Thank you for traveling to Raleigh today to meet with the board.

We realize the council normally meets on the third Tuesday of every month, and we appreciate you rearranging your schedules to accommodate this meeting.

This is the first meeting between the Aeronautics Council and the Board of Transportation in the history of NCDOT. I am sure you agree that this meeting is long overdue.

Mac Campbell has been serving as liaison between the board and the council. He is a dedicated member of the board and a champion of aviation.

Mac, thank you for your efforts of both this board and council to support and enhance aviation in North Carolina.

As you know, aviation plays an integral role in the state's economy.

In fact, the 2006 Economic Impact Study completed by the Division of Aviation showed that aviation contributes nearly $12 billion to North Carolina a year.

There are more industries locating here today because of our aviation infrastructure and other countries are even visiting us to learn more about it.

Thanks to this national and international recognition, I am confident that the next study will show an even greater economic contribution.

Conclusion
As the state's population continues to grow, so will the demands on the council, the board and the aviation division, making your diligence even more imperative to the department and state.

I firmly believe that partnering and strategizing with each other is the best way to meet these challenges.

I look forward to working with you in the future and to more joint meetings like this.

Thank you.


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