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TALBERT & BRIGHT PRESENTATION TO THE UNC AT CHAPEL HILL FOUNDATION INC.
Dated May 2008
This document is the economic working paper that suggests that a new airport in Orange County will generate $40-$53 million in economic benefit. Just to clarify, the study was funded by the UNC Alumni (The Chapel Hill Foundation) because UNC is not permitted, by law, to use taxpayer money to fund general studies of this nature. The legislation that allows UNC to site an airport in Orange County for AHEC, does not sanction or authorize UNC or the NC Legislature to plan Orange County's economy or its general aviation needs.
The report does describe a regional general aviation airport, which would be the basis for federal funding. The airport described is much larger than Horace Williams (HWA) and would have 6500 foot runways and hangars/parking for 100+ regional jets and private planes. The proposed airport would require roughly 1000 acres and is likely to cost over $100 million to build.
As you read the report, please notice that the consultants repeatedly mention the underlying data as limited and preliminary. Also, Orange County Voice checked some of the underlying facts and found them to be untrue. The six "major businesses" cited as needing an airport in Orange County are actually quite small (2-10 employees) and in general, the plane is used for the convenience of the chief executive (except the aerial photographer). The business owner we spoke to liked HWA and will move their plane to Burlington or Person County airport once HWA is closed.
Also, of the 114 planes registered in Orange County, a large number of them are on private airstrips or kept at Burlington or Person County airport. None of the private plane owners that we interviewed said that an airport in Orange County was necessary.
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ECONOMIC COMMENT
Mitch Renkow, Ph.d., Professor, Agricultural and Resource Economics, NCSU.
Dr. Mitchell Renkow, economist from NC State, reviewed the report. His comments are available through the link below. In addition to the overall exaggeration of the economic benefits, he clearly explains that the underlying basis for the economics are simply unfounded. The data upon which the report is based, assumes that an economy is under performing because there is no way to get to the area. An airport would correct that. However, in the case of Orange County, we have easy access to RDU plus we have access to 4 regional airports - which by the way are operating at way under capacity. Adding more airport capacity is likely to devalue our economy and cannibalize business from the other airports.
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