Once a year each of the Commissions set up by the Pocatello City Council meets with the Council in a “Study Session”. I’m the Chairman of the Pocatello Airport Commission and our turn to meet with the Council was last Thursday morning. We were scheduled at 9 a.m. and the meeting started promptly at 9. It is broadcast on the local “access” channel on CableOne channel 12, so there was a bit more timekeeping that might otherwise be seen in a meeting. These are my notes I made to guide the presentation to the council:

Roland Smith, Chairman of the Pocatello Regional Airport Commission
David Allen, Airport Manager

The other members of the council include:
Dawn Clark
Dick Greggerson
Tim Magagna
Rhonda Naftz
Dwayne Sudweeks
Bob Steinlicht (Power County)

Michael Orr represents the City Council

Commission meets on the 2nd Tuesday at noon each month at the airport

The airport serves SE Idaho with commercial passenger service, commercial and general aviation services, and a business park with the associated land development to capitalize on the airport infrastructure.

Significant tenants at the airport include the AvCenter, McNabb Grain and Trucking, Petersen Inc., Utah Helicopters, and several others.

Primary purpose of the commission is to provide transparency and oversight to the leaseholders, citizens, and other constituents about the business dealings at the airport.

We presented the following highlights from 2013:

Highlights from 2013
To be a significant economic engine and vital source for transportation services for southeastern Idaho through the development of air service, general aviation, and non-aviation land development (Pocatello Airport Mission Statement).

Community Outreach: Present a continuous, positive image to the communities we serve and gain public support for airport issues

• Issued multiple press releases and received excellent media coverage
• Active presence in the Pocatello Chubbuck, Blackfoot and American Falls Chambers of Commerce and prominent civic organizations
•  Made presentations to Chambers and civic organizations

Air Service: Strengthen current air service, determine current and future needs, and obtain new service to meet those needs

• Morning outbound and evening inbound jet service continues
• Conducted one-on-one interviews with major businesses to learn air service needs and educate on availability
• Number of passengers using airport increased almost 9% in 2013 over 2012

Land Use: Develop commercial use of lands in accordance with the Airport Master Plan with an emphasis on attracting aviation-related businesses that can capitalize on airport infrastructure

• Solar farm still in negotiation
• Assessing infrastructure needs and financing for current prospects and to allow for 5- to10-year build-out

This is probably my last time to present to City Council as this time next year, we’ll probably be somewhere else serving a mission. I’ve enjoyed this opportunity to be of service to the community!