Next step for regional airport needs public input

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) – The following part to convey a regional airport to northeast Arkansas would require the assistance of the general public.

A second public open home was held Wednesday, April 12, on the Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce to debate the subsequent step in bringing a regional airport to the world.

The primary part revolved round a research of the world and the place it may doubtlessly be positioned.

The Arkansas Division of Aeronautics now wants public enter with a survey, saying the general public was integral earlier than reaching the subsequent step.

The survey is being hosted by the East Arkansas Planning & Improvement District.

John Rostas, a senior aviation planner with engineering agency Garver, mentioned it was an essential step within the course of.

“It helps us quantify what demand is perhaps on this area and supply an correct depend of that as effectively, so for those who fly annually, that’s nice, we wish to hear about it. In the event you fly fifty instances a yr, that’s nice, we wish to hear about it,” he mentioned.

Garver mentioned there was a excessive response for the survey in Craighead County, however the mission concerned counties are far south as White, Woodruff, and St. Francis and as far west as Fulton, Izard, Stone and Cleburne.

“We’d like to advertise that all through your entire area as a lot as potential however what we additionally actually wish to do is emphasize that we simply need true demand as effectively. We perceive the inhabitants variations on this area may not essentially warrant having the identical stage of response in every particular person county as effectively,” he mentioned.

Rostas mentioned the knowledge they’re in search of isn’t simply from individuals who reside within the 19-county space of research.

“We’re in search of any firms within the space which may have journey that’s each inbound and outbound. We’re seeking to perceive the people who serve this area that won’t reside right here. The place are they coming from? Why are they coming right here? Would improve entry to air service be helpful to them as effectively?” he mentioned.

Rostas mentioned because the mission is funded by the state and the FAA the outcomes shall be made public someday in the summertime or early fall.

The survey web site shall be accessible till Might 5. The hyperlink to the web site might be discovered right here.

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