McHone's economic study measured the activities of airport-based businesses, including gross sales, employment and earnings. It also segregated results into flight dependent and non-flight dependent businesses to show direct and indirect economic impacts. The report further analyzed direct earnings and economic output through businesses operating at the airfield or that are airport dependent. Moon said if the analysis is approved by the airport advisory team and county commissioners, it will then be included in the airport master plan update, which is expected to be approved by commissioners in July. But first, Moon said, a consensus must be reached among airport advisory members, including the aviation opponents, who insist McHone's conclusions favor airport operations.
Critics say the airfield's economic impact has been grossly overstated.
But Ted Astolfi, executive director of the county's Business Development Board, said all the airport-based businesses contribute greatly to the local economy. Moon said commissioners will not be asked to agree on the report until airport advisory members decide what to do with the study's results. The advisory committee is expected to continue the debate at 1 p.m. Thursday at Burkeen's Bakery at the airport. The meeting is open to the public. Smetts said the economic study shouldn't go before commissioners while some airport advisory members still dispute its results.