Trip to Aviation Trade Show Results in Interest in Chico

CHICO There could be interest in the empty hangars and buildings at the Chico airport, according to two businessmen who have been promoting the space.

Bob Linscheid and Mike Donnelly, both of Chico, reported this week on an aviation trade show they attended in Las Vegas in February. They were there on Chico's behalf to market the several buildings that Aero Union occupied before moving to Sacramento's McClellan business park last year.

The company primarily converts military aircraft to aerial firefighting tankers.

The visit to Cygnus Aviation Expo has provided leads, Linscheid told the City Council's Economic Development Committee on Thursday.

The city contributed financially to the trade show exposure. An initial estimate of the trip's cost was $7,000.

CEPCO did receive $4,000 from the city for promoting the airport in the 2010-11 budget.

Without elaborating, he said one company that's headquartered in the Midwest is planning a visit to Chico. Lincheid, who is chief executive officer of Chico Economic Planning Corp., did not say when the visit would occur.

Donnelly is involved in commercial real estate with The Group Commercial Real Estate.

"We learned that airlines are looking for maintenance, repair and overhaul places, for spending the night," Linscheid said.

Donnelly called the contacts made during the show "good prospects."

Chico's airport is appealing, they said, because its not congested, there is developable land nearby, and Chico State University and Butte College are close assets.

In addition, a trip is planned next week to McClellan Industrial Park in Sacramento, where Aero Union relocated.

City Manager Dave Burkland, county Chief Administrative Officer Paul Hahn and Linscheid will be visiting the former Air Force base.

Ironically, Hahn was formerly employed at McClellan and was part of the team at the time that drew Aero Union away.

Linscheid said they hope to learn more about the enticements being offered, and talk to some of the tenants there.

In Chico since the 1960s, Aero Union announced last year that it would relocate its divisions to McClellan to be closer to its suppliers. At the time of its announcement, it had about 100 employees in Chico. Some of those employees transferred to Sacramento. The economic impact to Chico also includes the loss of leases, money which goes to the city.

Because of their perch on federally regulated property, only an aviation-related enterprise can occupy the space.

Staff writer Laura Urseny can be reached at 896-7756 or [email protected]