In Oklahoma corporations buying airplanes can redirect a portion of the excise tax into an improvement project for one of 49 regional business airports. The tax credit is responsible for several improvements across the state, but when the Williams Companies bought some planes last year management suggested they use the credit to do more than fund one improvement project. Also included will be installation services and training. Though the Williams Companies' tax credit funded these demonstration sites the OASC and OML plan to sell the program to the remaining 46 regional business airports. The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education has joined to assist in the training necessary to implement the infrastructure.
Partners point out that the benefits are far reaching.
The earliest benefits will be to the local airports, as the increased bandwidth will allow them to run applications that enable higher volumes of traffic, including the larger planes used by many businesses. Cities should be able to use the increased capabilities in selling the city for business expansions and relocations. Local public facilities will enjoy a tremendous improvement in network services. Beyond the most immediate benefits to public services the system can scale up to provide a revenue generation for the local municipality. Connectivity will depend on the backbone connection chosen, but can be increased as needs increase.