Commissioners Look To Brand Airport

— Airport commissioners approved hiring a firm Monday to assist officials create a better business and marketing plan.

“Creating a business plan to bring in more revenue and to improve the services at the airport has been our goal for awhile,” said Ray Hobbs, commission chairman. “We need a third party to look at the big picture to help us brand the airport and create a new business climate.”

An airport committee reviewed packets from six companies before recommending R.A. Wiedemann and Associates to the full commission.

“We started with six companies and narrowed the field to three companies,” said David Krutsch, airport manager. “We did phone interviews with each of the three companies.”

All of the companies were top-notch in their field, Krutsch said.

“I don’t think we could go wrong with any company that submitted a proposal,” Krutsch said.

Wiedemann, who is associated with Garver LLC, was selected because its officials seemed to be the most interested in working with local officials, Krutsch said.

“I think having Wiedemann associated with Garver is a good point,” said Commissioner Jerry Vest. “I would rather deal with a company that has some association with a firm we are familiar with and know they do quality work.”

Hobbs said it would likely take six months or more to work through the process of reviewing every aspect of the airport, talking to city officials, those who lease hangars and the public before a business and marketing plan is developed.

The scope of what the commissioners want in such a study has not been developed.

Commissioner Gary Jackson suggested, and other commissioners agreed, that Krutsch should develop a draft plan of what the scope of the project should be before talking with Wiedemann representatives.

“I’ll be glad to do that,” Krutsch said. “I’ll have a draft as soon as possible.”

There are a variety of improvements that could be made at the airport that would increase revenue and move the airport forward, Hobbs said.

“I have no idea what may surface during this process, but we could be looking at getting a branded restaurant, or seeking a government contract for some related airport function, or a business that paints aircraft,” Hobbs said. “Wiedemann can help us find and refine ideas that will make the airport more profitable and better known in the area.”

No contract with Wiedemann has been developed. That will come later after commissioners determine what the scope of the work will be, Krutsch said.

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