State uses Web to market properties near airports
The state is using the Internet to help attract businesses to Pennsylvania, particularly businesses that want to locate near airports. The Airport Properties Directory, which describes all of the sites available for commercial development near 80 of the state’s 135 public access airports, can now be accessed through the state Department of Transportation’s Web site at www.dot.state.pa.
“Many non-aviation businesses depend on the airport system to move personnel, equipment and products,” said state Sen. J. Barry Stout, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.
The directory lists eight sites available for development at or near the Connellsville Airport. Those sites include 32,000 square feet of office space in the airport terminal/administration building, 20,000 square feet of space in a second building at the airport, 90,000 square feet of usable space at the Fay-Penn Business Center and a total of 1,103 acres available for development at surrounding sites.
The largest of the sites is the Ridec property, with 850 acres available for development.
The privately owned site is less than a mile from the Connellsville Airport and is served by rail lines. All utilities including electric, water, gas sewer and telephone service are feasible for development at the site.
The land is located in a designated Keystone Opportunity Zone, which would provide a developer a tax abatement on all local and state taxes over a certain time period. It is also a designated Pennsylvania Enterprise Zone, providing reduced interest rates and higher borrowing limits for state financing programs.
State grants and loans are also available for site and building development through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
“The airport is a tool for economic development,” said Vince Vicites, chairman of the Fayette County Commissioners. “Having a place where you can land corporate jets makes your economic development well-rounded. We need to have our airport upgraded so it is a (stimulant) for economic development. We’ve committed $2 million from our bond issue for the runway extension project.”
Robert Schiffbauer, the vice chairman of the Fayette County Airport Authority, said it’s important for the runway extension to be done as soon as possible.
“Businesses like to locate at or near an airport, but for some of the corporate jets, our runway just isn’t long enough,” Schiffbauer said.
Schiffbauer said that the airport must show a need for the extension by demonstrating that there is enough potential air traffic that requires the longer runway.
“One of the major things that happened recently that will help us with our growth is Joe Hardy’s announcement about the golf tournament,” Schiffbauer said.
Joe Hardy, owner of Nemacolin Woodlands, announced in September that the Mystic Rock Golf Course at the mountain resort will be the scene of the PGA Tour’s 84 Lumber Classic next year.
The tournament was previously called the Pennsylvania Classic and was held last year in Ligonier.
While there is a small airstrip at Nemacolin Woodlands, Schiffbauer said the Connellsville Airport will be more suited to the needs of those flying in for the tournament.
“I think it looks very promising out at the airport,” Schiffbauer said.
Ken Krupa, the manager of the Washington County Airport, said the new on-line directory could be helpful in attracting businesses to the region. The information was previously available in the form of a thick publication listing all of the airports and all of the developable sites near the airports. The Internet format makes it easier for businesses to find information about a specific site.
Krupa said several aviation-related businesses are located at the airport. According to the Web site, there are 16 acres available for development at the airport, as well as 246,000 square feet available in nearby industrial buildings. John Bevec, chairman of the Washington County commissioners, said the airport plays a key role in economic development in the county and he’s glad to have the state’s help in promoting a county resource.
“It’s a start. In today’s age, most people are looking at a Web site. People in Avionics are going to check the state Web site to check airports they want to go to,” Bevec said.
“There are many operations that would like to be located near an airport,” said Joe Koval of the Washington County Redevelopment Authority. “I am working with prospects. There’s always a variety of incentives that attract people to the county. It’s never just one issue.”
Koval said that neighboring Westmoreland County has been successful in tying industrial parks to their airport sites. The Rostraver Airport, located along Route 51 on the Westmoreland-Allegheny County line, is surrounded by five industrial or professional parks, including one in Allegheny County.
“The airport generates nearly $9 million in economic impact to the community while serving as an important catalyst to local business development and the creation of jobs,” airport manager Gene Lakin is quoted as saying on the Web site.
The Greene County Airport is located just a quarter mile from Interstate 79, adjacent to Route 21.
The EverGreene Technology Park is adjacent to the airport. According to Ann Bargerstock, Greene County’s Director of Planning and Development, the county recently acquired funding to develop the infrastructure at the new technology park. Bargerstock said the Internet site should be a big help in dealing with prospective businesses.
“With the technology we have today, it’s ridiculous to deal with making copies of cumbersome maps and mailing them out,” Bargerstock said. “It’s really a good resource and it will get better.”
Five potential business sites are listed on the Web site as being near or adjacent to the airport, including 103 acres at the Lamar Prospect site to the west of the airport and the EverGreene site to the east.