Airport seeks growth opportunities; Authority, Lakeshore advantage report identifies potential clients

HOLLAND -- A $30,000 Tulip City Airport study to find out what companies might potentially come to Holland for its air service and location has produced a list of 150 firms.

While the majority likely would not relocate to Holland, the list provides the airport and economic development agency Lakeshore Advantage a focus in luring new businesses, said Dean Whittaker, president of Whittaker Associates, which produced the report.

Companies targeted -- which are located across the U.S. -- all have at least 25 employees and $10 million in sales, said Joel Burgess, vice president for Whittaker Associates. All the firms depend on having airports for their business and are growing 15 to 20 percent annually, Whittaker said.

The 33-page report was prepared for the West Michigan Airport Authority and Lakeshore Advantage, which shared the survey's cost.

The primary industries targeted included transportation and logistics companies, warehousing and distribution, and aeronautics- and aviation-oriented firms.

Secondary target industries included auto, furniture, pharmaceuticals and plastics manufacturers.

"We are recommending you focus on companies in these industries that are thriving and not necessarily the industry," Whittaker said.

He points to Zeeland-based Gentex Corp. as an example of a successful, growing company in an industry that is having difficulties.

"The report will give us a competitive edge in knowing which businesses and industries have the most potential for a possible expansion here," said Lakeshore Advantage President Randy Thelen.

The study also compared Tulip City Airport to four other airports:

-- John H. Batten Airport in Racine, Wis.

-- DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport in DeKalb, Ill.

-- St. Clair County Airport in Port Huron.

-- Waukesha County Airport in Waukesha, Wis.

Tulip City Airport compared favorably to the airports in most areas, but came up short on business offerings because it has the smallest terminal and few business amenities.

The airport's terminal is a 1,500-square-foot renovated house with airport offices, pilot facilities and a ticket desk.

The smallest terminal in the survey was Racine's, with 2,000 square feet. The others ranged from 4,000 to 21,000 square feet.

The Airport Board has proposed building a 10,000-square-foot terminal in 2010 for $7 million.

Whittaker said the need for a new terminal was its biggest challenge.

"A terminal is your front door and gives the first impression of the community to business travelers," he said.

The report also cited Tulip City's single 6,264-foot or 1.19-mile runway and lack of cargo handling facilities as challenges for attracting businesses.

The airport is owned by the City of Holland, but overseen by the authority, which includes the cities of Holland and Zeeland and Holland and Park townships.