36
Opinion
Dec. 19 - Jan. 8, 2016
www.SanTanSun.com
Community Commentary
Chandler Municipal Airport is a robust economic engine have about 36,700 people visit Chandler Last year, the City Council each year who stay at least one night. commissioned a study to determine We also have about 26,500 day visitors the impact of one of our community’s to the airport each year. With lodging, greatest assets—Chandler Municipal food, drink, shopping, entertainment Airport. The effort was led and transportation, the by the national design and revenues add up in a hurry. consulting firm of KimleyIt was also interesting Horn, in partnership with to see that many of our one of ASU’s top research visitors are from Southern economists, Dr. Lee California, Nevada and McPheters. Utah. The task was an Chandler Municipal is arduous one, using surveys, an exceptional airport for economic data, estimations business and pleasure. It is of the impacts of those used primarily for charter who visit Chandler using the flights, transport and airport, and a review of the sightseeing excursions. It airport’s supporting services Nora Ellen. Submitted photo also is home to a number and activities. I will get to of world-class training some of the interesting institutions. It is among the results in a moment, but the one that nation’s busiest general aviation airports, jumps off the page for me is the total with about 200,000 operations annually. economic output of the airport of nearly It is located within an area we call the $300,000 each and every day. That is an Chandler Airpark Area, a 9-square-mile, incredible number. master-planned business park in and So, how did we get to that figure? around Chandler Municipal Airport. Using methodology approved by the This emerging employment center will Federal Aviation Administration, the one day be home to tens of thousands study took into account revenues, payroll of jobs. The study did not include the and employment from those who work at entire airpark area, just businesses and on-airport businesses and public agencies, institutions on the airport. However, airport capital improvements and visitor we will next look at how the airport spending. will develop over time and how best to There are 163 jobs on the airport with determine future uses of the remaining an annual payroll of just under $7 million. land. This is a critical area for the Businesses generate about $32.5 million entire community, and as you can see, in annual revenues. Visitor spending via a tremendous economic engine for our the airport generates an additional $34 long-term fiscal health. million in revenues and a little more than It’s an exciting future, and this study $9 million in payroll. All of that combined only confirms what a rare jewel this asset then creates additional “indirect”—or is to our City. secondary—impacts that jump the total revenues to $109 million and create just Nora Ellen’s term expires in January under 800 jobs. 2017. She can be reached at nora.ellen@ It was interesting to see some of chandleraz.gov. the data related to airport visitors. We
BY COUNCILWOMAN NORA ELLEN
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Mayor looks toward 2016 www.chandleraz.gov/gpupdate. And, I will share It looks like January 2016 will be another busy more important news on Chandler’s business year for the Chandler business community. Here community at my Feb. 18 State of the City are a few things to look for that I believe will Address at the Council Chambers, beginning at have a big impact on Chandler. 6 p.m. Downtown Chandler. Alta Continued fiscal responsibility. Steelyard will bring more pedestrian The City received good news from density to our core which is good the three major credit rating agencies, news for our restaurants, shops and which all reaffirmed their current other businesses. A new concept by ratings of the City’s Excise Tax Revenue Harkins Theaters will break ground Obligations. These bonds will be on the corner of Arizona Avenue and used to fund major upcoming water Chandler Boulevard as part of “The and wastewater projects. In their Row” development. And we hope to reports, the agencies applauded our also see development begin on the Mayor Jay Tibshraeny. conservative fiscal management and Site 6 parcel across the street from Submitted photo policies—including low debt and City Hall. Downtown’s energy and sound reserves—which enable us to vitality just continues to build. maintain strong financial flexibility. And we will Adaptive Reuse. This is exciting for continue to show good stewardship with your Chandler and the Arizona Avenue corridor as tax dollars as we move into the coming fiscal we provide new standards to allow for simpler year’s budget process. redevelopment of older, existing space. The Over the next 12 months, Chandler will development industry is already showing a lot continue to brand itself as The Information and of interest and hopefully this will spark new Technology Hub of the Southwest, as several restaurants and other businesses to the area. projects continue to develop. I also hope to see Transparency in government. I will continue the economy continue to improve, meaning an to partner with the Chamber on our Caffeine easier go for our small business people who are and Commerce meetings, allowing local business out there on a daily basis working as hard as ever owners and operators a chance to discuss issues to survive—and thrive. and ideas in an open forum. Our General Plan So, here’s to a prosperous New Year Chandler. continues with four public meetings in January I wish you well. And please remember to follow to give you an opportunity to weigh in. You me on Twitter: @jaytibshraeny. can read a draft of the plan and learn more at
BY MAYOR JAY TIBSHRAENY
Letter to the Editor
Making miracles by helping others Christmas is not just a time for family and friends. It’s about what we do for others, helping each other. We all need miracles, and if you believe in miracles they can happen. Maybe that miracle is finding that one person you have been hoping to meet all your life. Or calling an old friend and having him or her over for Christmas. That miracle could be buying groceries for that family in line behind you at a store. Or paying for dinner for that family you don’t know. Christmas is not about what you get or how expensive the gifts are, but about the miracles you make happen.
It’s about opening your heart and really listening to what people say around you. Most of all, if you are an owner of a business, remember the sacrifices that people have made for you and your company. And really appreciate what they have done to make it a special place to work. A long time ago, I made the mistake of not telling a young woman that she made a real impact in my life and how I felt about her. I regret it to this day. So remember to make the most of those miracles every day.
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