Commissioners Hear About Airport Needs

Commissioners approved request from Airport Authority for $250,000. Glenn M. Sides

As of Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Back-to-back U.S. Open golf tournaments are scheduled in 2014, but from the standpoint of the Moore County Airport Authority, the time is already here.

Airport Director Ron Maness outlined almost $10 million in improvements needed to take full economic advantage of the twin tournaments to highlight the Sandhills region in three years.

“We’ve got a rare opportunity here,” said Maness in a presentation to the Moore County Board of Commissioners at a Jan. 13 budget retreat at the Senior Enrichment Center.

What the airport does not have is funding to cover the cost of expanding the general aviation ramp, extending runways and making other improvements.

Federal grants in million dollar lump sums, supplemented by state and local matches, have been discontinued since the airport lost airline passenger service in 2002. Between 1990 and 2009 the airport was the recipient of $24.6 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration. The state added another $2 million, bringing the total to $26.7 million. The county provided a five-percent match, exceeding $1.3 million during this period.

However, the airport is otherwise self-supporting and receives no operational costs from the county.

The airport continues to receive some FAA funding along with grants from the N.C. Department of Transportation Division of Aviation, but not in the multi-million dollar range. There is the prospect for a $2.5 million grant from NCDOT for the ramp expansion, but Carol Thomas, airport assistant director, said the grant won’t be awarded until bids are in hand and the exact cost is known.

Maness said these improvements are critical needs if the county expects to reap the greatest economic benefit from the U.S. Men’s and U.S. Women’s Opens in 2014.

“This is going to be huge for the community,” Maness said.

It was estimated that the airport has financial obligations of almost $500,000, including $217,000 in U.S. Open costs and $252,000 for replacement equipment.

“This airport is the economic gateway to the county,” Maness said.

Maness said he recognized the county’s tight financial situation but said the sluggish economy has also had a negative effect on the airport. For example, fuel sales have dropped 56 percent in the past two years. Fuel sales are a major source of income for the airport. Other sources of income are hangar and storage rentals, aircraft fees, flight training, commercial service and business tenants.

To save operational costs, the airport has reduced staffing to seven full-time and 14 part-time personnel and has reduced operating hours.

“We are as lean as we can possibly be at this point,” he said.

For more on this story, see the print edition of The Pilot.

More like this story

Flactem 2 years, 4 months ago

This airport is certainly NOT the economic gateway to the county. This place is a rat hole capable of nothing but sucking money from the county.

DaveyNC 2 years, 4 months ago

Agreed that it is not the economic gateway to the county. That honor falls to US 1 and the roads leading from Ft. Bragg.

But you don't have to be so nasty about it. It serves a purpose and is necessary.

annettespal 2 years, 4 months ago

If you're that unhappy here, then why don't you go somewhere else?

deidretg 2 years, 4 months ago

"The airport has reduced staffing to seven full-time and 14 part-time personnel and has reduced operating hours."......Wow, I had no idea things were that bad at the airport. I served during Operation Enduring Freedom after 9-11, 2001 for seven months as part of the Homeland Security Operation at that airport and things were humming along pretty well until the Spring of 2002 when Air Service to Moore County was discontinued. The next day the Government transferred us to RDU or Greensboro. Sorry to hear the sad state of affairs there but the commissioners had promised last year to bring Sandhills Community Action Program back into the financial picture this year after dismissing their request for funds to establish a temporary shelter for homeless mothers and their children last year. With the conclusion of battle over the $95,000 prisoner suites in their favor, the least they can do is take the price of one of those 192 suites and let SCAP provide a place for our own citizens in need. For them to tell the unfortunates that they will have to wait another year, after all of the publicity about what went down these last six months, would be an even greater disservice than kicking them to the curb last year and then 2 weeks later giving themselves $55.2 million for their own preferred agenda.

MooreNorth 2 years, 4 months ago

You might want to do some research on SCAP before suggesting it's a good avenue for tax payer dollars. As for the airport, if it can't sustain itself,after all the millions received, it's time to go.

Golfer55 2 years, 4 months ago

Isn't it time that we change the name of the airport to reflect the biggest attraction of the region???...and then maybe we attract commercial air service. Not many people...i.e. golfers, knew that Pinehurst was served by the Moore County Airport when they were searching for flights. I'm proud to live in Moore County and the Southern Pines area, but let's get real here provide the proper identity to one of the gateways to the Home of American Golf.

OldSpook 2 years, 4 months ago

Curious, MooreNorth and Golfer55 are very much both correct. If the airport cannot sustain itself then it is time to close the doors just like any business. However, if the name were changed to "The Pinehurst Regional Airport" then perhaps more golfers could/would take advantage of charter flights.
Nice potential solution.

Arestorer 2 years, 4 months ago

Hopefully, Southern Software wont modify any of their software to operate airport security, Or Moore County will have another money pit...If these Private buisness's cant compete,then close!!! Same for Little River golf...The Gov, has been waisting our money on airlines for way to long...Let them go under,someone else will take up the slack..

None 2 years, 4 months ago

Here's an idea ~ only the most affluent keep their aircraft in hangers paid for by taxpayers, let them support their airport with their money. Is there really enough flights from Poorer County airport to RDU on a regular basis for commuter flights. Just another political appointee wanting to dip his hand into TPo3's money pot funded by taxpayers!

Arestorer January 18, 2011 at 9:06 a.m.

Larry Caddell has already made plans to use taxpayer money for lines and lift stations to the privatly owned golf course ~ Little River. Another SS, Inc opportunity for application of Municipal Software at taxpayer expense. The P&L supporters will say, that's not county money ~ but then where does it come from ~ the mystical money-tree that the $95,000.00 per bed Gold Bar Hilton came from?

OldPilot 2 years, 4 months ago

When people express opinions about that which they obviously know nothing, in this instance aviation generally, airline economics, and the Moore County Airport in particular, they do nothing but expose their own woeful ignorance. There are about 75 aircraft based here, ranging from light sport aircraft to business jets. Over the last 4 years there have been, on the average, over 6500 operations (an operation is one takeoff and landing) per year. Many of these flights bring tourists, golfers and business people who spend money, and lots of it, in the area. The airport is self supporting, as owners of aircraft based here we pay hangar rents and buy fuel, people purchase flight instruction and so, the country doesn't support any of the operating costs of the airport. A county contribution of matching funds to secure Federal and state grants for infrastructure improvement just makes good business and economic sense. The airport has been in it's present location since 1929 and having accepted Federal funds the airport must remain in operation for at least 20 years. Instead of complaining come visit the airport. If you ask nicely I wouldn't be surprised if a pilot who owns an airplane might be more than willing to arrange to give you a ride but be warned, flying is addictive and seductive, you might get hooked!

Arestorer 2 years, 4 months ago

What does this have to do with them using tax moneys for operation or upgrades. If you want, You could go make a donation to the Airport. Im sure they might even take you up in a plane. I still believe its their place to succeed or fail, not my tax dollar..

fugitiveguy 2 years, 4 months ago

I wonder how much all that unneccesary chain link fencing cost us taxpayers. I know that is probably federal money but I bet it was very costly. That being said, even though I never use it I think we need the airport even if it wasn't self sustaining. I want the rich people to keep coming and spending their $$$ here.

deidretg 2 years, 4 months ago

Here are some facts to go along with the discussion: There are 86,000+ citizens in Moore County (Bureau of Economic Analysis) and there are 75 aircraft at the Airport (OldPilot). Do the math and the number of airplanes represents 0.000872% of our citizenry. In an article from The Pilot dated Sep 19, 2006 titled "Airport Ends Eventful Year At a Profit", which quotes Mr. Maness, we can determine how the Airport is doing in light of today's article >>>> In 2006 - 15 full-time employees - - In 2011 - 7 full-time employees >>>> In 2006 - 15 part-time employees - - In 2011 - 14 part-time employees >>>> In 2006 - "Moore County Airport has a strong underlying traffic in addition to the regular golf traffic." - - In 2011 - "has reduced operating hours." >>>> In 2006 - "sales of aircraft fuel climbed to 790,645 gallons" - - In 2011 - "fuel sales have dropped 56 percent in the past two years". In my opinion, based on the economic realities that affect the vast majority of Moore County citizens who probably have no interest in getting into one of those planes at the airport but instead, are more concerned about paying for necessities like food, gas, electric and rent would rather see the commissioners fund that temporary shelter for homeless mothers and their children (that we constantly hear about as advertised on 550 AM Radio in Southern Pines) which was kicked, unfunded, to the curb last budget year about 2 weeks before the BOC voted themselves $55.2 million for their pet projects. The Airport just needs to get to the back of the line, behind all of those more worthy causes that have been suffering under the current leadership in Moore County.

JoeGarrison 2 years, 4 months ago

The Airport needs to be self sufficient and does not need to be relying on taxpayers money for support. The money they need in addition to the state and federal dollar amounts should be raised privately if possible and if not then obviously the airport is not as vital as some would claim.

Arestorer 2 years, 4 months ago

Maybe Im wrong if JOE agrees.:) :)

OldPilot 2 years, 4 months ago

http://www.siteselection.com/issues/2009/jan/SAS-Air-Commerce/

JoeGarrison 2 years, 4 months ago

Why Arestorer that cuts me to the heart:) :) Hey remember when you agree with me you must be right:) I'm just picking:P

Arestorer 2 years, 4 months ago

Ha,Ha!!

fugitiveguy 2 years, 4 months ago

Many politicians use the word "invest" anytime they want to throw some tax dollars at their pet project. Often it is a gross misuse of the term. I don't think the same can be said of tax money spent on the airport. Good link, OldPilot.

deidretg 2 years, 4 months ago

Reference: >>>> siteselection.com >>>> RULE #2 (bottom of page) "Be sure to 'soberly' study the business environment to determine whether a market really exists........." Let the Business Community work it out. The county commissioners have the primary responsibility to serve the other 99.999138% of the citizens who populate this county amid declining revenues and services. Like I said, the Airport needs to get to the back of the line and let the homeless mothers and their children (SCAP) have first chance at whatever funds remain after the $95,000 prisoner suites in Carthage swallow up millions.

fugitiveguy 2 years, 4 months ago

If we had no airport wouldn't business be less likely to locate here resulting in even more homeless mothers?

deidretg 2 years, 4 months ago

Let the 75 owners of those luxury items in the County funded hangers be about the business of doing business for the Airport and let the county commissioners perform their social responsibility to the county citizens first and if there is anything left to throw out there to a 'maybe/maybe not' type of enterprise, then go for it. I suspect the 'Boys in the Backroom' know a whole lot more about what's coming than they dare to tell.

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