ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY
Introduction
The Capital City Airport is an essential asset to the Tri-County Area. Serving a population of over 447,000 people in the year 2000, as well as state government and some of the largest employers in Michigan, the Airport plays a significant role in the transportation system and economic health of the region and the state. The increasing demand on today's airports to be self-sufficient, cost-conscious and efficient in the provision of air services brings great pressure. Capital City Airport is no different. Many challenges face the Capital Region Airport Authority (CRAA) with regards to finding ways of increasing revenues and options for air service.
Conducting a study to determine the value of the airport to the Tri-County area is an vital part of demonstrating its role and worth within the community. The Capital Region Airport Authority has hired the team of Mead & Hunt, Inc. and Economic Development Research Group to conduct an Economic Impact Study to address this issue.
Data Collection
This study will build upon a data collection effort undertaken in the summer of 2002 as part of the MDOT study to update airport-specific economic benefits assessments and how they impact their immediate communities. Capital City Airport was one of the 38 sample airports selected to participate in the MDOT study. This study will elicit greater response of area businesses reliant on the airport and uncover how the airport is tied to the success of specific area businesses, and attempt to more exhaustively capture the revenue/fee generating capacity of the airport. Surveys were distributed to over 1000 manufacturing and businesses in the Tri-County area to assess use of the airport.
Questions
If you have questions about the study, you can contact Stephanie Ward, AICP, Project Manger at 517-321-8334, Mead & Hunt, 2605 East Airport Service Drive, Lansing, MI 48906 or by using our contact form.