AIRPORT DIVISION

The County Airport completed is second successful year in a row under the management of the County Highway Department. Airport operations created positive revenue for the County in the amount of $27,575. The expanding facility continues to be an important piece of the transportation infrastructure of the County and a significant tool for economic development.

Capital Improvement and Maintenance

Progress was also made with the plans to extend Runway 10. The engineering and surveying work to relocate State Street Road was completed during August of 2003 and a contract for its construction was awarded. Construction was planned to start in the fall, however, inclement weather postponed work until the spring of 2004.

Initial designs were also completed for the installation of automated security gates at the airport. It is expected that this work will be completed in early 2004 and complies with best practice standards issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The 107 acres of land to be acquired west of the airport, which accommodates the future expansion of Runway 10 was mostly complete during December 2003. It is anticipated that the County will have title to properties no later than March 2004. The total initial purchase price of these properties is $773,000, which includes avigation easements over the State Trooper's Barracks and several properties along West Saile Drive.

Entitlement Funding

The County committed is three-year annual entitlement dollars towards purchasing snow removal equipment at the airport. This purchase will lower operation and maintenance expenses at the airport and assist in making the entire operation profitable. Rollover and remaining funds are ear-marked for a terminal facility upgrades and site work for additional T-hangars.

Multi-Modal Funding

In the fall, Senator Mary Lou Rath indicated that her office had obtained $100,000 for hangar development at the Genesee County Airport. It is anticipated that this money will be used to construct an open bay multi-plane corporate hangar to serve as heated hangar space or to offer additional aviation business space.

Fixed Based Operator

Total fuel sales increased 10.1 % year over year and Jet Fuel sales continued to soar. Total sales of Jet Fuel accounted for nearly 31% of all sales compared to 22.6% of all sales in 2002 and only 17.2% in 2001. Jet fuel sales increased 29% year to year, while 100LL sales decreased 16% from 2001. This change reflects a marketing initiative to attract more corporate/business traffic.

Demand for hangars was brisk throughout the year and the County was forced to turn away potential tenants due to the lack of space. The Airport has maintained a 100% occupancy rate in its T-Hangars and Corporate Facilities. With the current lack of available space, the County needs to consider expansion of its hangar facilities in order to attract more fuel and aviation business.

Boshart Enterprises continued their expansion and leased two additional spaces in the main terminal to accommodate staff and avionics shops.

Hangar Development

As stated earlier, Genesee County received $100,000 in Multi-Modal funding from Senator Rath to aid hangar development at the airport. This money will most likely be used to construct heated hangar space at the airport. Design of this hangar will begin as soon as the funding is approved through the New York State Department of Transportation in the Spring of 2004.

In addition, Congress passed a new aviation bill which contains language allowing General Aviation facilities, such as Genesee County Airport, to spend their federal non-primary entitlement funding on the construction of revenue generating facilities. This will allow Genesee County to construct up to 30 additional T-Hangars as previously planned and discussed in 2002 using federal aviation funds rather than proceeding through a local bind issue.

Marketing

Several marketing events were held to include Fly-in Pancake Breakfasts and several Air Safety meetings. The Airport Manager initiated a direct mailing campaign in the fall which focused on corporate/business uses of the airport.

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