From WCTV.tv
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) — The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce is requesting the City of Tallahassee to consider acquiring an independent airport authority.
This comes more than a month after the previous aviation director resigned for a job in another city.
The chamber is calling on the city to conduct a consultant-based study on the airport. The study would assess land use and construction.
“The opportunity that presents itself now is for leadership at the City of Tallahassee to say ‘Let’s go out, let’s look at the best models that are excelling in other communities and see as Florida’s capital city if we have the opportunity here to restructure and look at a new governance structure for the airport,’” said Sue Dick, the President of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce.
“Again, focusing on an airport authority model that would generate business and economic development, and capitalize on many of the good things we’ve been seeing out at the airport,” Dick continued.
The chamber is aiming to attract airline carriers and be able to compete with other markets.
“By looking at airport authority, it is to be competitive not only in economic development, but in air service, fares and opportunities,” said Dick. “In talking to other airlines, they like the Tallahassee market, but it’s a business proposition. An airport authority can assist in allowing Tallahassee to be competitive.”
The Chamber of Commerce is encouraging any study on the airport to be done as quickly as possible, saying that they would do anything to support it, along with the local business community.
