ROGERS -- The Airport Commission discussed changing the airport's name and tag-line to "re-brand" during a workshop Thursday.
"We are wanting to attract more business out here," said Ray Hobbs, commission chairman. "We are wanting to make sure that anyone who comes to the area knows that this is here."
Commission members unofficially agreed during the workshop to change the name from Rogers Municipal Airport Carter Field to Rogers Executive Airport Carter Field. They also agreed on the tagline, 'Your complete aviation solution.'
Hobbs said the commission would vote on the name and tagline during a March 9 meeting. The changes would still need to go before the City Council.
A new logo would come next and then a marketing plan, Hobbs said.
The airport now serves private and corporate planes, said David Krutsch, airport manager. The 6,00o-foot runway is able to accommodate some of the largest executive jets, he said. Large corporate jets can have wingspans about 100 feet, he said.
The airport also can house small and large planes with more than 300,000 square feet of indoor space, Krutsch said. Wal-Mart houses its corporate planes at the airport.
"The level of services that we have for corporate jet operators is high," Krutsch said. "It is on par with any major corporate or general aviation airports located in other major municipal regions."
Services include ground support, rental cars, a restaurant and flight-planning rooms, Krutsch said.
A marketing campaign could help people from other areas learn about the services the airport offers, Krutsch said.
"If a new company is moving to the area we want to have information to educate and inform them about our services," Krutsch said.
The airport serves about 75,000 passengers annually, Krutsch said. The number is a rough estimate because the airport isn't commercial and doesn't sell tickets, he said.
The goal would be to attract more general aviation and executive travelers to the region, Krutsch said. That could bring more revenue, which would help the airport expand services.
Expansion of services could mean the construction of more hangars, a flight school or specialized maintenance facilities, Krutsch said.
The airport is projected to bring in $634,820 in revenue during the fiscal 2015 that started Jan. 1, budget documents state. The airport is expected to spend $64,520 more than revenue, Krutsch said. A reserve fund can cover the extra expenses, he said.
Krutsch didn't know exactly how much the airport had in reserve.
"Our budget is tight," Krutsch said. "We have not always broken even but we typically do better than what we budget."
More business at the airport could help the airport become self-sufficient, Krutsch said. It also could help the local economy, he said.
"The primary reason for our airport is economic development," Krutsch said. "It is a transportation option. We help people travel efficiently."
NW News on 02/27/2015