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V O L . X X I I N O. X V 74 FA C T BO O K / D O I N G B U S I N E S S I N M A I N E I N F R A S T R U C T U R E / D I S T R I B U T I O N M aine's airports collectively are a critical piece of the state's transportation: ey bolster the economy, enhance tourism, connect communities and enable Maine companies to get their products to the market. e Maine Aviation Business Association, a nonprofi t formed in 2013 to promote Maine airports, reports that the state has 75 public-use airports and sea- plane bases. Many of them are former military airfi elds with signifi cant infrastructure to support the needs of aviation businesses, as well as potential to create jobs and spur economic growth both on and off the airports. Brunswick Executive Airport — located in a former naval air base now known as Brunswick Landing — is a leading example. e airport has two 8,000-foot run- ways and is home to seven aviation or aerospace fi rms: ONE Aviation, Tempus Jets, MVP Aero, FlightLevel Aviation (fi xed base operator), Maine Coastal Flight, Greisen Aerospace and Hoyle Tanner and Associates. It has plenty of room for expansion, and Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Steve Levesque, a pilot himself, is using every marketing tool at his disposal to convey that message to corporate and general aviation companies looking to expand or simply needing a home base for their aircraft in Maine. Among the selling points Levesque and the Maine Aviation Business Association have used to promote BXM as a great location for aviation companies to set up shop: It has 650,000 square feet of hangar and main- tenance space, a new instrument landing system, an advanced glycol recovery de-icing system exceeding Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Aviation Association standards, jet engine test and maintenance facilities, no encroachment issues and access to unencumbered airspace. e airport can handle aircraft as large as the Boeing 737. As of July 1, 2011, Maine no longer imposes a sales and use tax on aircraft purchases and parts, making the state more competitive in the aviation industry. ere are over 68,000 registered general aviation aircraft located within 500 miles of the airport, providing a signifi cant customer base for avia- tion-related businesses — including 22% of all general aviation aircraft in the United States and 52% of all general aviation aircraft in Canada. It's the second closest airport in the United States to Europe (a fi ve-hour fl ight). Brunswick Landing also is designated as a Foreign Trade Zone and is located within a qualifi ed census tract for federal and state New Markets Tax Credit programs. Portland International Jetport 'best' in North America e Portland International Jetport started the year with some important accolades. It was named 2015's "Best Airport in North America," accord- ing to Airports Council International's annual Airport Service Quality Awards. Airports Council International, the only global trade representative of the world's airports, also ranked PWM globally in overall customer satisfaction for airports that serve fewer than 2 million passengers. " is is an amazing honor," said Paul Bradbury, PWM's director. " is award validates that our con- tinued focus on meeting and exceeding passenger expectations is working." PWM's high satisfaction score from its custom- ers was the result of the highest rankings in areas like effi ciency and wait times for check-in, courtesy of airport staff , cleanliness of terminal, as well as ground transportation. " is award is shared by all of the dedicated em- ployees and business partners that make the Jetport great," Bradbury said in a prepared statement. " is recognition is a refl ection of their commitment to providing a world-class experience for our pas- sengers from the curb to the gate and we are very grateful for their exemplary eff orts." FAA awards funding to Maine airports Recognizing the importance of airports to both the state and national economy, the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded almost $4 million in grant funding to a number of Maine airports in 2016 to help them continue supporting the regions they serve. ese airports at mid-year had received word from the Federal Aviation Administration that they will be receiving funding in 2016, as announced by U.S. Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins: Bangor International Airport in Bangor — $900,000 to fund terminal building fl oor, ceiling, electrical, and ventilation and air conditioning system modifi cations to meet current standards. Auburn/Lewiston Municipal Airport in Auburn — $298,675 to fund reconstruction of 3,900 square yards of the existing terminal apron pavement that has reached the end of its useful life and fund a 2,200-square-yard terminal apron expansion to accommodate the increased use of the aviation facilities. Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport in Bar Harbor — $425,000 for the replacement of 35 airfi eld guidance signs and foundations, as well as the relocation of the airport's wind cone and segmented circle. Knox County Regional Airport in Rockland — $150,000 for an environmental assessment. Oxford County Regional Airport in Oxford — $150,000 to update the airport's master plan study. Waterville Robert Lafl eur Airport in Waterville — $135,458 for the acquisition of three easements to protect runway approaches. Belfast Municipal Airport in Belfast — $142,500 for the removal of tree obstructions on the runway approach surface. Brunswick Executive Airport in Brunswick — $116,465 to maintain the structural integrity of pavement on the airport's taxiway. Dewitt Field, Old Town Municipal Airport in Old Town — $73,675 for the replacement of the airport's existing beacon. Sugarloaf Regional Airport in Carrabassett — $298,675 to fund the construction of a single pump self-serve fuel facility, which will generate revenue for the airport. Machias Valley Airport in Machias — $150,000 to fund the replacement of the airport's existing rotating beacon and wind cone that have reached the end of their use. Newton Field in Jackman — $91,944 to fund an aeronautical survey to evaluate the installation of an area navigation approach. Knox County Regional Airport in Owls Head — $341,166 to help replace the airport's existing rotating beacon that has reached the end of its useful life. Other projects include: Rehabilitating 4,000 feet of runway to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize de- bris, and rehabilitating a taxiway lighting system to enhance safe airfi eld operations during low visibility conditions. Lincoln Regional Airport in Lincoln — two grants of $150,000 and $148,675 to remove run- way obstructions. Caribou Municipal Airport in Caribou — $217,935 to support the construction of a 200-foot taxi lane to provide access to aircraft hangars. Dexter Regional Airport in Dexter — $78,325 award to support an updated master plan, outlin- ing objectives for future development. JameS MCCartHY, Mainebiz senior writer, can be reached at JmCCartHY @ mainebiz.biz and @ JameSMainebiz Rural economic development takes flight Federal funding is aiding small, regional airports B y J a m e s M c C a r t h y For more on Maine's airports, see the listing on page 77

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