Remember when you could take a reliable and reasonably priced air shuttle from the Prescott Airport (PRC) to Phoenix Sky Harbor or other western hub airports? In the past, a number of carriers served Prescott, including Horizon Air, which operated a large, 76-seat turboprop aircraft. You are probably thinking that those days are long past, never to be seen again. In collaboration with my regional counterparts, the mayors of Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and Dewey-Humboldt, as well as private partners, the City of Prescott is laying the groundwork for major airport improvements, including a new passenger terminal and extending the main runway. These improvements will bring our airport into the 21st century with even better air service than in the past.
While in its current state, it may not seem so, but our airport is a diamond in the rough with great potential for increased commercial and general aviation that will bring major economic development to Prescott and the surrounding area. A few flight operation statistics illustrate this point: PRC is the third busiest in Arizona, behind only Sky Harbor and Deer Valley airports, both located within the largest metropolitan area in the state. It is the 35th busiest airport in the nation, and ranks fourth in general aviation activity. It is the only airport in Yavapai County with a manned Air Traffic Control tower. Airport-oriented and other businesses located at or near the Prescott airport, i.e., Legend Aviation for flight services, North-Aire Aviation and Guidance Aviation for flight training, Ruger, Cobham Aerospace, Davidsons and many other firms there provide approximately 3,100 jobs in our community. Of the 200 airports in the Western U.S. recently reviewed by the FAA, only 24 were approved for a runway incursion mitigation (safety) study – one of which is the Prescott airport. This demonstrates the high esteem in which the FAA holds our airport.
Undoubtedly, you are asking yourself whether a group of small communities with public safety retirement system debt and other financial challenges can accomplish the huge task of expanding and improving an airport. Yet, the area mayors and I believe it is possible through the use of Public/Private Partnerships (P3s). We can easily envision the economic vitality and productivity that a vibrant airport would attract to our communities. The City of Prescott has already made significant headway over the last year, securing nearly $8 million in federal and state grant funding for airport improvements, including electrical upgrades and increased capacity to support the U.S. Forest Service firefighting aircraft. In addition, the city recently received almost $2 million in federal and state grants to: prepare an updated airport master plan; conduct an environmental assessment for a new passenger terminal; install new LED runway lighting; and design a comprehensive airport security upgrade. These will be the foundation from which formal plans for future action will emerge.
The commitment of private sector support and funding for airport improvements from interested investors and businesses is a very real and exciting possibility. With the construction of a new terminal and longer runway, scheduled air carriers have indicated interest in providing service from Prescott to major Western hubs. This, in turn, will attract aviation/terminal support service businesses such as rental car companies, restaurants, concession providers and hangar and airplane service providers. But even more important, with expanded air cargo capability, new and expanded businesses will look to Prescott to start up or relocate. This is especially true for those with links to technological fields taught at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). Each year, with few opportunities for them here, superior ERAU grads leave Prescott to seek employment elsewhere. With the City of Prescott and ERAU collaborating to develop a technology incubator project to attract industry in the fields of cyber security, drone technology, robotics and intelligence and national security, we will be able to provide jobs for these grads. A critical component for success in this endeavor is an improved airport. Business executives must have convenient and reliable air service to support their economic ventures. Without an improved airport, there is little possibility that they will choose to locate here.
What are the challenges to airport enhancement? The Prescott City Council has already endorsed major airport improvements, and continued to provide matching funds necessary to secure the major federal and state grants mentioned. The mayors of Prescott Valley, Chino Valley and Dewey-Humboldt have expressed interest in working with Prescott to realize the vision, as well. Participation by the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors would round out local cooperation in the P3 agreements, and applications for federal grants are in progress for the federal funding shares. A detailed master plan for overall enhancement of the airport will be accomplished this fall. Input from the Quad Cities community will be gained through a survey to be released by the end of this calendar year, asking for feedback on air carrier hub destinations desired from Prescott area residents.
Revitalizing our airport is a monumental undertaking, but one that can be accomplished by forward thinking, committed public-private partners who see the great potential benefits to our community and county residents that it would bring. Support from the region will be essential to successfully modernize and expand our airport, and to the realization of new scheduled air service and increased economic development. QCBN
By Harry Oberg
Harry Oberg is the mayor of Prescott.
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