2017 Progress Report

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PROGRESS 2017

A special issue from the publishers of the Maryville Daily Forum

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Smooth landings

TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM

A variety of aircraft sit parked along the flight line at Northwest Missouri Regional Airport in December during a chili luncheon and fly-in hosted by the Hawk Road Flyers, a local aviation club affiliated with the Experimental Aircraft Association. A newly rebuilt runway at the airport was cleared for operations late in 2016, paving the way for a marketing push to publicize the facility as a regional resource for general aviation enthusiasts and commercial aircraft.

Airport wings its way to bright future By TONY BROWN Staff writer

A much-improved city-owned Northwest Missouri Regional Airport is open for business. On Sunday, Dec. 4, the rebuilt 4,600-foot runway was approved for daylight takeoffs and landings. Clearance for 24-hour usage — in the glow of a revamped runway lighting system — was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration later that week. The airport closed in mid-June of 2016 so that crews from Ideker Construction in St. Joseph could begin breaking up the old runway, which was beginning to pose safety issues related to disintegrating pavement. Not included in the rebuild was the newest, southernmost 600 feet of the runway, which was added as an extension in 2008 along with a second taxiway. The remainder of the original 75-foot-wide airstrip, all of which has been replaced, was built in the mid-1990s. Pilot reactions to the new landing surface and other upgrades have been overwhelmingly positive

“We’re extremely happy with what’s been happening at the airport, to say the least,” said Hawk Road Flyers member Mike Rogers, who noted that additional improvements, such as a new fuel island and online access to data recorded by the airport’s automated weather station, have significantly raised the facility’s profile within the regional aviation community. The Flyers are a group of local aviation enthusiasts who focus on sharing their passion for the sky with area young people through regular Eagle Flights and other special events. On Jan. 21, the organization celebrated the airport opening with a chili luncheon and fly-in that attracted pilots from across the four-state area. Now that the runway is complete, the City of Maryville is taking steps to raise the profile of the airport as a full-service stop for both general aviation aircraft and small jets. In the past, according to Assistant City Manager Ryan Heiland, the airport has been underutilized and little known outside Nodaway County, serving as a fairly typical smalltown aviation facility catering to hobby pilots and the oc-

casional crop duster. But now, said Heiland, who serves as lead airport administrator, the time has come to start telling people that Maryville is home to an aviation asset primed for growth. As a first step, Heiland and other municipal staff have begun working with Hue Labs on developing a new airport website that will offer pilots information about weather, fuel prices, and flight planning. The Nevada-based company is the same firm that created the popular Mozingo Lake Recreation Park site, which is credited with helping turn the 3,000-acre park and reservoir into a regional tourist destination. In addition to aviation-related resources, the site will provide flyers and passengers alike with suggestions about where to eat and lodge in Maryville along with opportunities for terminal rental, courtesy ground transportation, and other services. “As is the case with Mozingo, the website will provide an excellent marketing tool for both the airport and the community overall,” Heiland said. “Northwest Missouri ReSee PILOTS, Page 2

WHAT’S INSIDE Schneider Center for the Performing Arts............................................................ Maryville’s Downtown Farmers Market............................................................... Mozingo Conference Center................................................................................... Watson 9 Youth Golf Course................................................................................... Voters approve transient guest tax for campus facility/tourism.......................... Northwest Missouri State Bearcat Football team wins 6th national title........... Lettuce Dream hydroponic greenhouse harvests first crop................................. Brad Ford fills in at Shelter Insurance after Dave Weigel’s retirement............. St. Francis Hospital unveils new emergency room/trauma center ..................... Encryption breakout room adds entertainment to downtown............................ Bullseye pawn and gun locates in former Casey’s location..................................

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Blue Willow provides retail gift destination downtown........................................ Home by Sonja moves into former Store of Colors.............................................. Happy Garden repurposes former laundromat.................................................... On the Spot Design locates near post office........................................................... United Methodist Church launches new Gathering Space.................................. Warehouser purchases former Energizer facility................................................. Louigi’s brings Italian flare to South Main in Maryville..................................... North Main “gateway” gets much needed facelift................................................ Minnie Lane has stories to tell on downtown square............................................ Brighton Wellness Spa relocates to Daily Forum building..................................

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