Editor:
Do any of the City Council members or the people of Sweet Home have any idea what not having a good functioning airport means to the economy of the city?
It seems very doubtful.
Now, I know there is a private dirt strip that is used by one or two people but it is nearly impossible to get to via car and is not recommended to be used by the public due to liability reasons.
I understand the issue has been solved during this last session of the Oregon legislature in that private owners can no longer be held responsible for the public use of their private airports.
Nearly all cities and towns that have functioning public airports can say they are better off than before they had an airport.
The increase in economic revenue that comes from people being able to get in and out of their city or town easily via air even if only by private plane brings in more business.
There are also Federal Aviation Administration grants available for improvements and even for building it to begin with.
Most of the grants do require matching funds many at the 10 percent level, but some go as high as 50 percent on the owners’ part.
Now, a dirt strip is OK until you consider that new single engine airplanes cost as much as nearly $1 million and few are less than $200,000, and that used planes can run from $50,000 and up.
The people who own these airplanes really do not want to be using an unimproved dirt strip for the most part and with good reason.
The city can also develop some revenue by providing fuel with a self-serve station on the field.
So what do you all say?
Don’t you think it is about time we started reaping the benefits of having a useable public airstrip here in Sweet Home?
Wouldn’t you like to see some of those stores along Main Street full and functioning again because an airport brought in a new business or two?
James Morton
Sweet Home