Attracting more commercial development on property near the Monroe County Airport is a goal for airport officials.

That is why their proposed 2020 budget includes additional funding for the promotion and marketing of the several acres of property purchased around the airport, located along Kirby Road on the county’s west side.

On Thursday, the Monroe County Council supported the airport’s proposed $1.1 million 2020 budget.

Monroe County Airport Director Carlos Laverty said several businesses currently utilize the airfield. However, airport officials hope to attract even more aviation-related businesses to take advantage of the acres of available real estate surrounding the airfield.

Ken Ritchie, president of the Monroe County Aviation Board, said one area in particular officials hope would attract some type of development in the near future is a 55-acre parcel located north of the airport that was purchased in 2016.

Laverty said as part of promoting the available land, officials plan to revamp the airport’s website. He envisions the new website to have a tab showing a listing of the available real estate near the airport that can be developed, including those considered shovel-ready sites.

“We want to make that a much more professional and user-friendly site to help promote the airport,” Laverty said.

Laverty said airport officials are also increased promotion of the airport at professional conferences and buying advertising in trade publications to get the word out.

“I think these are some wise investments you are making in the marketing of the airport,” county council member Eric Spoonmore said.

Laverty said while the airport is hoping to attract more commercial business, he is also working to boost area residents' visits to the facility. He said there used to be a number of events at the airport that allowed the general public to see the facility and learn more about aviation.

Laverty said he also wants to promote the airport as a place where children can come and learn about aviation. He said this could potentially inspire the next generation of pilots.

He said there is currently a shortage of pilots, and the aviation industry is coming out with some really interesting strategies to get people excited about flying again. As an example, Laverty said he was part of a program at the Columbus Airport where they collaborated with the Ivy Tech Community College campus in that community for an aviation program.

He said whatever local airport officials can do to get more people into the aviation industry is not only good for the airport, but in turn is a good thing for the overall community.

“Taxpayers own the airport,” Laverty said. “That is the community’s airport. It is not an exclusive club.”

Contact Ernest Rollins at 812-331-4357, [email protected] or @fromernestdesk.

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