By TIM ROGERS
Salina Airport Authority, April Reporting Points
Since the closure of the Former Schilling Air Force Base in 1965 the economic development partnership that includes the City of Salina, Salina Airport Authority, Saline County, Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, Salina Community Economic Development Organization, and the State of Kansas has successfully teamed to transform the former base into a vibrant regional airport and airport industrial center that serves as an economic engine for our community, region, and state.
The partnership’s success is evident by the measurable impact on local, regional, and state economies. In 2021 The Docking Institute for Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University completed an assessment of the economic impact of private, educational, military, public, and non-profit sector activity at the Airport and Airport Industrial Center. The results were impressive and document the measurable economic impact that Airport and Airport Industrial Center activity has on our community, region, and state.
• $1.3 Billion - Total economic impact private businesses and manufacturers, education, military, and nonprofits
• 7,100 jobs - Total employment
• 18% - Percent of Saline County Employment
• $58,450 – Average annual income
• $28.10 – Average hourly wage
The best is yet to come as new construction and planning projects are completed during the 2024-to-2026-time frame.
Salina Airport Construction Projects Underway - $34.5 Million
• New aviation fuel farm construction
• Hangar H626 rehabilitation
• Runway 12/30 rehabilitation
• New general aviation aircraft storage hangars
• M.J. Kennedy Air Terminal expansion
Airport Industrial Center Construction Projects Underway - $850 Million
• Schwans’ Food Company (Tony’s Pizza) – facility expansion
• Universal Forest Products – facility expansion
• Salina Area Technical College – Industrial Maintenance and Automation Building
• Kansas National Guard AASF equipment yard expansion
Airport Construction Projects - $72 Million
• New MRO and paint hangar construction
• Runway 12/30 Rehabilitation
K-State Salina Construction Projects - $75 Million
• New Aerospace Innovation and Training Hub for Composite Materials
• K-State Salina – K-AIRES Center for Advance Immersive Simulation
25 - Year Salina Airport Development Planning – 300 Acres
• SLN West planning project will open another 300 acres of Salina Airport land for new aviation business growth.
The capital investment and construction and planning projects that occur over the next three years will add to the Airport and Airport Industrial Center an even greater community economic impact.
Thank you for reading this edition of Reporting Points.