Thank you, G.R. for that introduction.
And thank you all for inviting me today.
I'd like to take a minute to thank G.R. for his work on the Board of Transportation.
He does an outstanding job representing this area, and I know he is as pleased as the rest of us to have this fine facility here in Lee County.
I'm glad Representative Etheridge and former Senator Faircloth could be with today.
I also want to recognize the Director of our Aviation Division, Bill Williams.
Bill came to us several years ago from the Federal Aviation Administration.
He has been an avid champion of aviation in North Carolina and I want to thank him for helping make us a model for the rest of the nation.
It is thanks to combined support of everyone here, that we were able to build the new Sanford-Lee County Airport.
One of my goals as Secretary of Transportation is to provide a transportation system that helps all areas of our state prosper.
That system combines all modes of travel, from bicycle and pedestrian to highways, rail, ferries and aviation.
This region exemplifies how such infrastructure can help an area attract industries and prosper.
The new Sanford-Lee County Airport serves as the southern reliever for Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
With the completion of U.S. 1 as a controlled access highway, users of this airport now have convenient access to many parts of southern Wake County - including Raleigh and Cary and can drive there within 30 - 40 minutes.
In addition, the adequate apron space, terminal building and services provided by the operator make this one of the finest general aviation airports in North Carolina and very attractive for corporate aviation.
Also, the close proximity of rail and other infrastructure, such as water and sewer, make this area attractive to industries.
In addition to helping attract businesses, the aviation industry also provides more than 100,000 jobs for North Carolinians.
And funnels more than $9.1 billion each year into the state's economy.
That's why it is so important for us to continue to support the aviation industry.
As a leader, the NCDOT Aviation Division will continue to work diligently to ensure that airports across the state are able to meet the needs of their customers.
One way we do this is through the Block Grant Program.
North Carolina is one of ten states nationwide that receive federal block grants from the Federal Aviation Administration to administer funds for general aviation airports.
When the Division of Aviation joined the block grant program, one of its main purposes was to improve and enhance the state's reliever airports to our major commercial service airports.
This is one example of that effort.
We also support the state's airports and pilots in many other ways -- including:
As you all know, whether helping businesses to expand, transporting people and goods across the state, bringing tourists to enjoy North Carolina's many attractions or supporting families through good jobs, the aviation industry touches our lives everyday.
Ever since Orville and Wilbur Wright took that first flight off the sands of Kitty Hawk nearly 100 years ago, aviation has played a vital role in our lives.
In 2003, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of that historic first flight as well as, the many achievements made in aviation since that time.
I am proud to say that North Carolina is not only the birthplace of aviation, but because of facilities like the Sanford-Lee County Airport, we continue to be a leader in aviation services.