TRENTON —New Jersey Aviation Association (NJAA) Board Chairman Justin Edwards announced Feb. 22 that a list of planned airport projects has been sent to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in an effort to insure that the State receives its share of “stimulus” funds.
According to a release, NJAA represents a multi-billion dollar General Aviation industry that provides New Jersey with over 17,000 jobs.
Cape May County is home to three Airports — Cape May, Ocean City and Woodbine.
According to State Airport System Plan, a comprehensive study of New Jersey’s airport system released last year, the economic impacts of these local airports are as follows:
• Cape May County Airport, 216 jobs, $ 6.1 million payroll, $14 million economic benefit.
• Ocean City Municipal Airport, 45 jobs, $1.5 million payroll, $4.1 million economic benefit.
• Woodbine Municipal Airport, 37 jobs, $974,900 payroll, $3.5 million economic benefit.
NJAA’s letter to FAA expressed concerns that the state airport system would be diminished without the safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements that New Jersey is requesting. New Jersey has lost a great number of public use airports in recent years. Many of those that remain will be unable to weather this economic downturn without help. The threat is severe.
New Jersey’s airports generate jobs, high value economic activity and local investment. Arlene Feldman, the president of NJAA, has said that “it is our role to insure that companies in business aviation are able to survive in New Jersey and continue to make their enormous contributions to our State economy.”
If airports disappear those companies that need the safety, security and on-time convenience of our airports will go elsewhere. General aviation airports are basic business infrastructure.
There is a long list of unfunded projects that are ‘shovel ready’. Most qualified airport improvements can be started within 120 days.
With troubling and inaccurate statements that are being made against business aviation, NJAA, more than ever, is working to protect, promote and preserve New Jersey’s aviation industry. With that in mind, NJAA will continue to pressure the FAA for the critical funding of airport improvement and maintenance projects.
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