It’s a strong facet in the marketing of properties and the region, when you have people coming from all parts of the country looking at sites.” It’s about time saving and that’s critical. Using our airport means they don’t have to fly into Atlanta or Birmingham and then drive in a rental car or be chauffer driven to Anniston to look at sites. There are times when a tenant rep or a leasing agent are looking at five or six cities in the course of a day or two. Time saving is very important in marketing of economic development sites. According to Bennington, “It’s another means of convenience.
I39 airport flights series#
The other aspect of the airport being a catalyst for economic development is the ability to have a quick turnaround in terms of commercial development – site locators, tenant reps – people who might be considering a site for a national chain grocery store or a series of restaurants, and other sundry type stores. With the pandemic, a lot of that is not being practiced – although, there is a lot of charter activity – but that is something that will come back into play as we move away from COVID–19.” Bennington notes, “Having that access is key because a lot of industries have their corporate teams utilizing their company aircraft. Whether it be in the Midwest, the north, or out west, it provides an opportunity for their business associates and clients, marketing departments, other connections in the industries to fly their corporate jets in and out of Anniston Regional Airport, as opposed to going to Atlanta or Birmingham. Many of these companies are tied to head offices and industry offices from out of state. Anniston Regional serves the same purpose for them – a GA airport in close proximity that they can utilize for freight purposes. There are also businesses and industries located to the south of Anniston, particularly in the rural counties and in Ashland, Alabama and Talladega. That is a great marketing tool when you’re talking to industrial prospects and you’re focused on the airport as an asset: what that service could be to either an existing industry that wants to expand or a new industry that is looking at the area and the proximity and the easy access to the airport of what that freight shipment and delivery can provide to all industries in the area.” For example, it serves as an airport that provides a lot of freight delivery for Honda and other industries in the area. Having a general aviation airport is a catalyst for building your marketing tool for business and industry. But there is an elevated level, a higher sense of purpose for the airport that relates to a broader regional economic development. Toby Bennington, City of Anniston Director of Economic Development & City Planning, shares, “Anniston is the county seat for Calhoun County and the center for banking and the hospital and other activities. With an asphalt runway 7,002 feet by 150 feet and over 500,000 square feet of paved apron and seal–coated tile ramp, this facility accommodates dual wheel aircraft up to 500,000 pounds. Conveniently located near Interstate 20, highways 431, 21, and 78, the Anniston Regional Airport is just 80 miles north of Montgomery, 55 miles east of Birmingham, and 80 miles west of Atlanta, Georgia. Anniston Airport has what it takes to bring in larger commercial flights. There is just so much potential there.”Ī Part 139 Airport certification allows for use by larger seat capacity air carriers. And whatever it takes to get there is what we want to do. “We have over 600 acres of land left to develop and I would like to get the fullest use out of our 139 certification as possible. “Honestly, we’re dealing with a huge airport infrastructure that’s treated as a general aviation airport,” reports David Arnett, Public Works Director/Airport Manager. Just as modern structures tower over the turn of the century brick, the Anniston Airport lies waiting in the wings as well. A small city with a daytime population just over 37,000, Anniston almost seems poised for larger things. Walking through the quaint brick downtown of Anniston, Alabama, one could be excused for slipping back into another era of Main Street, USA.
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