Tallahassee, Florida - April 12, 2011

See the complete survey by clicking on the attached Power Point file above.

How to increase economic development potential for this area’s air service facilities

As a tactic for improving commercial air service to Tallahassee, 6 times as many citizens support Michelle Rehwinkle Vasilinda’s idea of creating an airport authority for Tallahassee Regional Airport (42%) than support Mayor Marks’ idea of expanding the General Aviation facility (7%).

Citizens believe that neither idea has significant merit:

29% believe creating an airport authority has merit for increasing the economic development potential of this area’s air service facilities

13% believe expanding the General Aviation facility has merit for increasing the economic development potential of this area’s air service facilities

Information given to TallahasseeVoices panelists

State Representative Michelle Rehwinkle Vasilinda has filed a “shell bill” in the Florida Legislature setting up the concept of an airport authority for Tallahassee Regional Airport. She states that establishing an airport authority will help the airport become more of an economic asset to the community. She notes that air ridership has decreased for the past five years. Last year, the City Charter Review Committee recommended creation of an airport authority to focus on improving economic vitality.

City of Tallahassee Mayor John Marks replies that “I’ve not heard any complaints about operations of our airport. The complaints are over air service – rates and schedules – that the City has no control over. Marks adds, “We don’t see a benefit to an (airport) authority.” To assist economic development, Marks wants to focus on expanding the General Aviation facility where private airplanes, not commercial carriers such as Delta and US Airways, operate.