1010 Ben Epps Drive · Athens, GA 30605 · (706) 613-3420 · Fax 613-3417

This is the Executive Summary of the report entitled "Assessing the Economic Impact of Athens-Ben Epps Airport" prepared in June 2003 by The University of Georgia Business Outreach Services Small Business Development Center Applied Research Group. Click here for the full report (132k PDF file requires Acrobat®).

THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ATHENS-BEN EPPS AIRPORT Executive Summary As part of efforts to examine the economic role of the Athens-Ben Epps Airport, the administration of the Athens-Ben Epps Airport has recently commissioned an economic impact assessment through the Applied Research Division of The University of Georgia Business Outreach Services, Small Business Development Center. The objective of the study is to quantify the employment, income and economic activity contributions of aviation by evaluating the Airport, related businesses, and the visitors that come to the area through the Airport. In addition, part of the study consisted of questionnaires to aircraft owners based at the Airport. The economic impact was viewed from a variety of perspectives in order to take into account differences resulting from the study area examined. The following includes highlights from each portion of the study, including not only economic impact but also results from the aircraft owner survey. Economic Impact Each separate category of results stands alone and should not be added either to another segment of results (such as adding together the economic activity and the employee income) or to other study area results (such as adding the Primary Market Area results to Secondary Market results). The impact estimates are those resulting from Airport operations, aviation-related businesses, Airport capital expenditures and air travel visitor spending. In the Primary Market Area , consisting of Clarke, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, and Oglethorpe Counties, the annual economic impact estimates are: $11.7 million in economic activity 143 full- and part-time employees $3.5 million in employee income (wages and benefits) In the Secondary Market Area , consisting of Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Madison, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Jackson, Morgan, and Walton Counties, the annual economic impact estimates are: $11.8 million in economic activity 146 full- and part-time employees $3.6 million in employee income (wages and benefits) The Urban Georgia Area consists of Bibb, Carroll, Catoosa, Chatham, Clarke, Columbia, Dougherty, Floyd, Glynn, Hall, Houston, Lowndes, Muscogee, Oconee, Richmond and Walker Counties. In these counties, which were designated part of the study area primarily because of their use in a previous study, 1 the annual economic impact estimates are: $13.1 million in economic activity 171 full- and part-time employees $4.4 million year in income (wages and benefits) In the State of Georgia Study Area which consists of all 159 counties within the State, the annual economic impact estimates are: $14.1 million in economic activity 162 full- and part-time employees $4.9 million in income (wages and benefits) Aircraft Owners This portion of the research effort included sending questionnaires to owners of aircraft based at the Airport, a total of 50 owners. The responses represented 22 owners of 26 aircraft based at the Airport (some own more than one aircraft based there). The following are some highlights of the aircraft owners' responses to our questionnaire (particularly focusing on those aircraft for business purposes): Approximately 48% of those who responded use their aircraft for business purposes and come from a variety of industries including such businesses as consulting, real estate, and legal services. These businesses operate in Clarke, Franklin, Houston, Jackson, Lowndes, and Oconee Counties and employ an average of 38 workers. Approximately 59% of the business aircraft use is for executive/staff transport purposes. Other uses include visitor/client transport, receiving supplies, and other, non-business purposes. Over 88% of the owners that use their aircraft for business purposes indicated that the location of Athens – Ben Epps is important or very important to their current business operations. Though only a few business-use aircraft owners responded to the question regarding their businesses' annual sales, the average was over $2,000,000 per year. In addition to questions about their aircraft use, we asked the aircraft owners to elaborate on their answers or to describe the role that their aircraft based at Athens-Ben Epps Airport plays in their business operations or personal experience. Some of the responses included the following: "Loss of viable airport services would be a severe blow to the heal th of the local economy. It would be nearly impossible to recruit new business without providing the full range of air services." "[The Airport] made locating in Athens possible." "AHN [Athens Ben – Epps Airport] is the kind of airport I prefer for fuel stops and especially basing. The well-equipped AHN is also good for flight training. I very much hope the airport remains available for private and business aviation." "The mobility and utility allows me to do more in less time, both personally and professionally."

For further information on Athens-Ben Epps Airport Contact: Airport Manager 1010 Ben Epps Drive Athens, GA 30605 706-613-3420 Airport@athensclarkecounty.com www.athensairport.net