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Airport's impact valued at $43.4 million: Barkley gets credit for 249 jobs
[May 09, 2008]

Airport's impact valued at $43.4 million: Barkley gets credit for 249 jobs


(Paducah Sun, The (KY) (KRT) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 9--Barkley Regional Airport pumped about $43.4 million into the regional economy last year, according to Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce study results released Thursday.

The airport was directly or indirectly responsible for the jobs of nearly 250 people with a total of $9.5 million in wages and benefits.

Survey respondents listed a second airline and new terminal as the most needed improvements.

The airport has been recruiting another carrier since American Connection left in July 2007, blaming high fuel costs and planes that were less than half full. Federal funding for a new terminal is among the chamber's highest lobbying priorities.



Chamber Chairman Mike Karnes said the results are intended to help city and county officials decide whether to create a taxing district or change the level of governmental funding to help Barkley operate.

"We really want to make sure the airport is properly funded," he said. "We see it as vital to our local economy."


With local business funding, the chamber paid $8,500 to the Boyd Group Inc. of Evergreen, Colo., to do the two-month study of 11 counties in western Kentucky and southern Illinois.

Besides examining data, the Boyd Group sent surveys to 1,000 businesses, organizations and people asking about the importance and service levels of the airport. Seventy-seven responded, with these highlights:

Sixty-four percent of airport tenants said they wouldn't be in the community or as profitable without the airport, but only a third of community respondents said the same thing.

Among the 83 percent who travel, less than half said they primarily use Barkley. Most said they use general aviation or another airport, notably in Nashville, Tenn.

Having only one airline limits the number of seats and flight schedules, which especially hampers business travelers, Airport Authority Chairman Neil Archer said.

"When we had four daily flights, it was much more accommodating than the current three."

Archer said the limitations partly explain why a high number of respondents opt for flights out of other airports. Rising gas prices may work in Barkley's favor, he said.

"On the benefits side, it's quite evident that those people with direct aviation ties are very much in support of the airport," he said.

Joe Walker can be contacted at 575-8656.

Generated by airport in 2007

249 airport-related jobs, including 140 directly attributable to Barkley. Other jobs stemmed from tenants, passengers and turnover spending in the area. Leading job sectors were air transportation, federal, automotive equipment rental and food services.

$9.5 million in wages and benefits (average salary $38,259), including $6.1 million to those directly depending on the airport for work.

$28 million in goods and services, including $17.8 million in direct airport and tenant operating expenses.

$2.9 million in rents, royalties, and dividends, including $1 million directly related to Barkley.

$3.1 million in tax revenue, including $2.1 million in federal personal and corporate income taxes.

$2.6 million in time and cost savings from not having to drive elsewhere for flights.

Boyd Group study

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