Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 19 M AY 2 8 , 2 0 1 8 F O C U S L E W I S T O N / A U B U R N "[It's] a quiet little economic gen- erator," Lanman says. "We're doing a good job of doing what we're sup- posed to do, but we have enormous capacity and are using a fraction of it." What it takes to make it happen To upgrade, the airport will invest 8.7 million over the next two years and a total of 11 million through 2023. e air- port is an overlooked asset, says Rebecca Swanson Conrad, president and CEO of the Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and a member of the airport board of directors. " e airport and the surround- ing area are ideally situated to become an even greater economic hub and improved gateway to the community, if developed thoughtfully," she says. She says that includes attracting business and residents to the region. "Increasingly, time is money in busi- ness," she says. "Having access to charter service or your own plane and being within a short drive to an airport is something we should market." From Lanman's position, a lot of what needs to be done isn't sexy — upgrading the localizer at the end of the main runway, for instance, and adding storage hangars — but it's necessary to get to the type of things that people can understand, like onsite retail and a hotel. "We have a chance to generate more of an economic benefi t to the community," he says. "At the same time, we have to develop [infrastruc- ture] ... to make it happen." e airport has a 1.5 million yearly operating budget, and gets a sub- sidy from the two cities. is year it's requesting 172,000. Lanman estimates the airport generates about 25 million in the L/A economy, everything from car rentals, meals and lodging, to the Lifefl ight air ambulance based there, cargo traffi c and business done in the area. UPS has a large customer center right outside the airport's gates and runs fl ights out of the airport nine times a week. Its proximity to the airport "enables the latest possible cutoff time for drop off s prior to the evening fl ight departures," says Jim Mayer, spokesman for UPS Airlines. "[ e fl ights] are very important because they connect the region with UPS's global air network." A to-do list of upgrades e airport was once a Navy train- ing base, an auxiliary to the larger Brunswick Naval Air Station. It was decommissioned in 1, and Auburn and Lewiston took it over as a nonprofi t corporation in 17. It's run by a nine-member board of directors with representatives from both cities, as well as the chamber of commerce and the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments. In the past, commercial airlines have fl own out of the airport, but Lanman says that type of business isn't on the airport's radar. Corporate, private and cargo traffi c, which lease tie-downs, pay landing fees and buy fuel, are the airport's customers. "To build more of that is what we're focusing on," he says. To that end, the immediate focus of the airport is to upgrade the two runways, including a new localizer at the end of the main runway. e device allows horizon- tal guidance for instrument land- ings. e current one is from the late 10s, and is in a depression in the earth. When the snow gets high, it's not readable at all. Both runways need upgrades, as do parking lots and equipment, and Lanman says there is critical need for short-term hangar space, so that planes aren't outdoors in the weather. "Some goals are imperceptible to a lay person, but they're impor- tant," he says. e infrastructure upgrades lead to more customers, which means more revenue, which means that the airport TAO Greenhouse — Brunswick Trend-setting PM Construction has been working with the owner and architect to create a visually-interesting and multi- functional facility. This project aspires to be a trend-setting development within an urban environment. It is a unique facility which encompasses all aspects of farm-to-table, from agricultural production to consumption. When you need help bringing your next project to fruition contact Laura Blanchette 207.282.7697 Trend-setting YOU'VE GOT JOBS. We've got qualified candidates. goodwillnne.org/workforce Let us find your next great employee. C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an We have a chance to generate more of an economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the economic benefit to the community. At the same time, we have to develop [infrastructure] ... to make it happen. — Rick Lanman Auburn-Lewiston Airport

• Cover