Remarks for Secretary Lyndo Tippett
Aeronautics Council Meeting
Tuesday, March 21, 2006 at 10:30 a.m.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
Good morning.
Thank you for inviting me to be a part of today's meeting.
Gratitude for Council's Efforts
I want to start by giving you a big pat on the back for your ongoing efforts to support, expand and improve aviation in North Carolina.
I know you are each unpaid volunteers-and you devote a lot of time and hard work to this council.
I want to assure you that your efforts are making a great difference.
Aviation plays an integral role in the state's economy and is an essential part of the multi-modal transportation infrastructure relied on by today's fast-paced global business climate.
Your work contributes significantly to the overall prosperity of communities throughout the state, and provides our citizens with important new opportunities.
You are truly upholding Gov. Easley's vision for One North Carolina--a state where every citizen and every community has the resources needed for short- and long-term success.
Your efforts also play a vital part in the department's overarching mission to provide a safe, modern and integrated transportation system for North Carolina.
As Mac Campbell mentioned in his remarks to you several months ago, we are actively pursuing a stronger partnership between the Board of Transportation and the Aeronautics Council.
We have formally added "aviation" to the title of our multi-modal committee, and Chairman Humphrey has already begun what will be a series of regular reports to the board.
Aviation continues to be a driving force behind the continued success of the state's transportation infrastructure, especially as our population continues to increase and more companies look to locate or expand into North Carolina.
We want to make sure this role is not overlooked by the Board of Transportation.
Likewise, we want to ensure that you are aware of the board's activities and how your aviation goals fit into the larger aims of the board and the department.
I am pleased that Mac has agreed to serve as a liaison between the board and this council, in addition to At-Large Board member Cam McRae, who has long been a champion of aviation in this state.
This new spirit of collaboration is already paying dividends, and I am confident that its benefits will only continue to grow.
Our progress can clearly be seen in the recent efforts to focus on the state's rural airports and the important role they play in the lives of so many of our communities.
Rural Airport Development Program
I first want to thank you for your work to implement a rural airport development program that would provide a way for rural airports to obtain additional funding through state grants.
These grants would help our smaller general aviation airports attain the capital improvements they need to attract corporate business aircraft and generate more revenue.
The program proposal has been submitted to the governor's office. They are still looking at questions of funding availability, but we maintain high hopes that it will be approved and we can move forward with this program.
Mac has taken the lead in this effort, and you have my full support.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that the governor's budget will contain some funding for this concept.
Impact of Aviation Economic Analysis
Along with this, I commend your work to update the economic analysis, which documents the impact of aviation on North Carolina's economy.
This study is key to measuring and understanding the ways in which general aviation airports affect the local economies of their communities, and to providing justification for funding future improvements.
As you well know, this is a challenging time for transportation funding.
According to our statewide transportation plan, which examines all modes under the department's purview, we face a nearly $30 billion gap in funding over the next 25 years.
Aviation must compete with our highways and other needed improvements for these limited dollars, which is why it is increasingly important that we have an accurate picture of the role that aviation plays in the overall prosperity of our state.
I am certainly anxious to hear the outcome of this study and gain a better idea of the economic impact of aviation.
Small Community Air Service Program
I also know this council has been actively participating in our efforts to encourage more commercial air service at our second-tier airports.
This program has already been successful in Kinston, and I understand that more good news is on the way.
Our smaller communities deserve commercial air service and the new opportunities it will provide.
I appreciate your perseverance in keeping this program on the front burner, and look forward to the benefits it will continue to bring our smaller cities.
Conclusion
Again, keep up the good work and thank you for inviting me to be here today.
Your efforts are really appreciated, and I look forward to our continued partnership.