Vindy: State should help Valley lure Continental Airlines facility

Posted on July 14, 2007
Filed Under General

Two years ago, the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in Vienna Township was one of three sites submitted by the state of Ohio to European airplane manufacturer Airbus, which was looking to develop a production facility in the United States.

And while neither the Valley nor the other two locations in Ohio, Toledo and Columbus, was selected by Airbus, a subsidiary of European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company North America, the state’s Department of Development received invaluable information about the Youngstown-Warren airport and the surrounding area.

The Regional Chamber developed the proposal that was sent to Columbus. U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D17th, and Team Northeast Ohio, a group of business officials from 17 counties, assisted.

We bring that up because the state is today being asked to assist the Valley in persuading Continental Airlines to build an aircraft repair facility at the regional airport.

State Sen. John Boccieri of New Middletown, D-33rd, has sent a letter to Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, who also serves as the state’s development director, suggesting that the administration of Gov. Ted Strickland include the regional airport in the economic incentive package Ohio is offering Continental Airlines to expand its hub at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Fisher, who is quite familiar with the Valley’s economic profile by virtue of his having served as Ohio attorney general and running for other statewide offices, should have little difficulty putting together a proposal for the repair facility at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.

After all, the development department’s data base should contain a treasure trove of information about the Valley, including statistics submitted by the regional chamber for the Airbus project.

Public dollars

The state has committed $16 million to Continental Airlines for the expansion of its operations, which means the Strickland administration is not about to let other states competing for the expansion get the better of Ohio.

Boccieri, who knows the airport and the area around it from the ground and the air by virtue of his being an Air Force Reserve pilot, noted in his letter to Fisher that the existence of the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics at the airport would provide the Continental Airlines facility with the kind of manpower and other support not readily available in other areas.

The senator also rightly points out that Cleveland Hopkins does not have the space for such a project, whereas there are 10 acres of land available for immediate occupancy on the western side of Youngstown-Warren near Ridge Road, just opposite Aeropark Drive.

The parcel is already paved with concrete and was designated in the airport’s master plan as a cargo area.

Boccieri, who has a personal relationship with Gov. Strickland, intends to pursue the Continental Airlines project not only because it would benefit the Mahoning Valley, but because it would strengthen the state of Ohio’s bid to keep the airline from looking at other states.

While efforts are being made to expand commercial airline service at the airport, the presence of Continental Airlines, even through a repair facility, would be a major shot in the arm for the region.

For Continental, it would mean huge savings because now airplanes are flown to New Jersey or Texas for repairs.

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Also $150k is coming to YNG From the DOT for improvements, that will be a post come Monday.