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Quincy Regional Airport in partnership with Cape Air is encouraging the community to fly in a marketing campaign beginning this week. The airport will be offering incentives to the community through ticket giveaways and promotions.

Why now?

10,000 is the magic number. In order to qualify for a $1 million federal aviation grant, the Quincy Regional Airport must reach 10,000 enplanements by December 31, 2014. Airport manager Jarred Hester says there has been a six percent drop in passengers flying out of the airport this year. That means over the next five weeks, 1,205 passengers (as of 11/20/14) need to fly out of Quincy Regional Airport.

“We will be spending these last weeks of 2014 rallying community support and raising awareness of the value of the airport to our community,” Hester said. “The $1 million grant will help us maintain our infrastructure – over seven and a half miles of pavement, asphalt and concrete on our runways – and at the same time decrease our reliance on local tax payers.”

Let’s talk economic impact.

The value of the Quincy Regional Airport to our community is irrefutable. A study conducted in 2012 measured QRA’s economic output to our community at $13.8 million. Quincy Regional Airport, Cape Air and local aviation-related companies account for 70 jobs.

Private business and industry in the tri-state region rely on the services of Quincy Regional Airport and Cape Air to get their people where they need to be efficiently and economically. Round trip flights daily to St. Louis and a code-share agreement with American Airlines connects the Quincy area to the world. In our global economy, transportation infrastructure – and the ability to get places fast – is crucial. Quincy Regional Airport commercial air service is an important component of the multi-modal transportation network the region offers.

What’s in it for me? 

Based on the national average of $.59 per mile, the cost to drive to Lambert Airport in St. Louis is $75. Add to that a minimum of $7 per day to park at the airport, plus the loss of time and productivity, and you’re spending $100 or more just to get to your connecting flight.

The Solution:

Enter Cape Air and the Quincy Regional Airport. Only 15 minutes from the heart of Quincy, Quincy Regional Airport saves you time and money. Cape Air will get you to St. Louis in 45 minutes for only $52. Add to that FREE parking and shorter TSA security lines, and the money you save speaks for itself. 

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The election is over so here at GREDF, we thought it would be a good time to share this guide from the National League of Cities Center for Research and Innovation and endorsed by the International Economic Development Council. The following is an excerpt from the guide which is formatted as a “Top 10” list of things local elected officials should know about economic development in order to be effective leaders. Download a pdf of the complete guide. 

The goal of this guide is not to provide a one-size-fits-all solution to economic development or even to offer Economic Development 101. Nor does this guide contend that elected officials should be economic development experts. The goal is instead to identify fundamental ways elected officials can become informed and strategic decision-makers who can connect the policy “dots,” be effective communicators and take a leadership role in economic development. This guide is based on the premise that elected officials can and should actively participate in and lead long-term development strategies that make sense for their community. 

10 Things You Should Know 

1. Your local economic strengths and weaknesses. A stronger understanding of your community’s economic profile will help you create a realistic vision and strategies for economic development.
2. Your community’s place in the broader regional economy. With a firmer grasp of how your community fits into the broader region, you’re better prepared to work with other jurisdictions to share responsibility for regional economic success.
3. Your community’s economic development vision and goals. Local elected officials can play a key role in building consensus for a vision and goals that provide clear direction for local economic development.
4. Your community’s strategy to attain its goals. A strategic approach means linking economic development goals to specific activities, allocating a budget and staff to these activities and evaluating performance based on measurable outcomes.
5. Connections between economic development and other city policies. When crafting economic development policies, it is essential to consider how other city policies (e.g., transportation or housing) affect your economic development goals.
6. Your regulatory environment. Your community’s regulatory process should allow for timely, reliable and transparent resolution of issues facing businesses, while still remaining true to your long-term economic development vision.
7. Your local economic development stakeholders and partners. Local officials should think strategically on a project-by-project basis about who needs to be involved, the resources they bring to the table, and what it will take to get them engaged.
8. The needs of your local business community. Local officials can help create an environment that supports the growth and expansion of local businesses, primarily by opening lines of communication.
9. Your community’s economic development message.You will want a clear, accurate and compelling message that reflects your local vision and that helps ensure broad support for economic development projects undertaken by the city and its partners.
10. Your economic development staff. Local elected officials will be more effective in leading economic development activities to the extent that they forge strong relationships with staff members who work on these issues on a daily basis.

As an elected official, you make decisions every day that impact the future of your community. It is of critical importance that your decisions and actions support your community’s vision and do not work at cross purposes with existing efforts. This is particularly true in today’s rapidly changing economic environment.