Mainebiz

V O L . X X I V N O. X I M AY 2 8 , 2 0 1 8 20 L E W I S T O N / A U B U R N F O C U S can invest more into things that will make it sustainable. e long-term goal is to make it self-supporting and not require the money from the two cities. Getting the word out Conrad, of the chamber, agrees self- suffi ciency is a key, and says getting the word out about what the airport has to off er is also part of the overall plan. "We need to promote the option of fl ying into our airport for a business or pleasure trip," she says. She represents the chamber's busi- ness development programs on the airport board, and says she sees the chamber playing a role in the airport's move toward self-suffi ciency, which will allow greater fl exibility for growth. at includes promoting the air- port locally, as well as away. "I'd say externally the airport is better known than internally within the community," she says. "Certainly the families from all over the country that bring their kids to camp or col- lege know it's a great airport." e third weekend in July last year, the airport sold more than 13,000 gal- lons of jet fuel, 00 gallons of Avgas when 103 aircrafts with more than 300 passengers landed. As with most of the state's airports, "camper's week- end," when parents fl y in to pick up or drop off kids to Maine's summers camps, is a boost. Conrad says that those weekends have a signifi cant impact on hotels and restaurants, but it's just one weekend. "We need to market the potential and encourage development, but we also need to be creative and bold in our thinking, she says, adding that the high number of business and corpo- rate landings, as well as private land- ings, create an economic multiplier across the region e airport in 2012 expanded the terminal building to make it more comfortable for travelers and to add offi ce space. Its restaurant, Backwoods BBQ, opened in 201, a second location for then Center Street Auburn eatery. ere is also a Hertz rental car agency. She says other travel-friendly amenities would complement those. One idea would be an on-site hotel, Lanman says. Conrad says a fl y-in boutique hotel "would distinguish our local airport as one of only a few in the country where you could land, have dinner and spend the night steps from your own plane." One of the choices e airport is losing a major tenant. Lufthansa announced in February that the Super Star Constellation being restored in a large hangar there will be sent back to Germany. e project currently employs 70 people at the hangar. Lanman said he may be ready to announce a new tenant in the near future. e heated 50,000-square- foot hangar the company built for the restoration "wasn't going to go empty," Lanman says. Demand for hangar space is one of the biggest challenges the airport faces and providing it will help take it to the next level. While Portland International Jetport, Bangor, and some other airports in Maine have commercial service, most of the state's airports are competing other types of business. "If your fl ight is scheduled [in southern Maine], Portland is your airport," Lanman said. "If not, you've got choices, and we want to be the one chosen." Word of mouth and customer experience drive much of the private and corporate airport business, and much of that is driven by customer service and the condition of the infrastructure. "Pilots say, 'Yeah, that's a good air- port.' You want to have a good repu- tation," he says. " at has to be the draw, and everything else follows." M M, Mainebiz sta writer, can be reached at @ . MADDY CORSON Small Business Award RENYS Large Business Award SHEP LEE Community Service Award PEOPLE'S UNITED BANK Innovation & Technology Award CHALMERS INSURANCE GROUP Customer Service Award HOLIDAY INN BY THE BAY First Generation Award VARNEY AGENCY Environmental Leadership Award The Winners of the 2018 Maine Family Business Awards are: To learn more about the Institute for Family-Owned Business including programs, events and networking opportunities, visit www.fambusiness.org or call 207-798-2667. 2 0 1 8 Headquartered in Auburn, Maine, Connectivity Point is a Maine- owned company, specializing in the infrastructure for voice, data, video, and security applications. Keeping people connected is what we do. That's why we proudly support local, community events like the Great Falls Balloon Festival and the Dempsey Challenge. 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