Authority Chairman Harold Garner reminded fellow authority members Tuesday that the effort has advanced because of the hard work, influence and dedication of dozens of people who have the best interests of the airport at heart.
“We are waiting,” Garner said. “The consortium has sent in their application. Corporate Airlines has sent in their application.”
Don Delauter said he receives repeated questions from the public wanting to know when the county can expect passenger service to return.
“Do we know? Do we have a clue?” Delauter said.
Airport Executive Director Michael Shouse said there are few answers at this point. The earliest response will come by Sept. 30, when members representing a consortium of six small airports should learn the status of their application for a U.S. Department of Transportation grant. A date for a decision on the loan guarantee reapplication by Corporate Airlines to the Air Transportation Stabilization Board is not so certain.
“While we wait, we need to remember all the work that’s been done by all these people,” Garner said.
Garner said he regrets some misunderstanding surrounding the loan/grant applications to support Corporate Airline’s proposal to offer passenger service in Moore County and at five other small airports in North Carolina.
“We have support from the top,” Garner said, adding that, in this case, the support goes almost as high as the president.
Garner said he was pleased that both senators from Tennessee had signed the letter to the ATSB, as well as the two from North Carolina. This is significant because Corporate Airlines is based in Nashville, Tenn.
“Senator Edwards came on early. Senator Dole came on later, and she got a lot of press when she signed the letter,” Garner said. “This does not change in any way the importance of what each one of them did for us.”
Congressman Howard Coble of the 6th District also came in for high praise for his recent visit to the airport and the influence he has wielded.
In addition to Coble, congressmen representing the districts in which the other five airports are located were praised for joining the effort
“We have 100 percent support,” Garner said.
Garner said that the authority owes thanks to the county’s two legislators, state Sen. Harris Blake and Speaker of the House Richard Morgan.
“Richard Morgan has been extremely helpful in this effort and in our earlier efforts. He has been a friend of this airport for a long time,” Garner said.
Additional help came from former Gov. Jim Holshouser, George Little, chairman of the Sandhills Community College Board of Trustees, and from the Moore County Board of Commissioners.
In addition to praising the five members of the task force, Garner expressed appreciation for the fact that personnel in the offices of task force members have shouldered extra work while co-workers and bosses have been busy recruiting an airline.
Caleb Miles, president and CEO of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, was largely responsible for lining up almost a half million dollars in advance ticket sales as an incentive for an airline. While Miles was out recruiting this support, the work he usually does in the office fell to other personnel, Garner reminded the authority.
Garner described similar situations with the work of Deputy County Manager Michael C. Griffin and Shouse. He similarly praised the work of Peter Stilwell, representing Resorts of Pinehurst, and Bob Hawkins, who “gave us the benefit of his 35 years with American Airlines.”
Garner said that Shouse has coordinated the effort by working with the other task force members and also lined up the airport’s contribution to the overall package of incentives offered to Corporate Airlines. Supporting Shouse while he was tied up with task force duties were Bobbie Cox and Keri Cameron of the airport staff.
“Mike has done a fantastic job,” Garner said of Shouse’s leadership with the task force.
And finally, Garner saved some praise for the other four authority members.
“And last but not least, our gratitude goes to this authority,” he said. “Although we’re still trying to bring the aviation side of the airport into the 21st Century, we are dedicated to getting an airline for our community. You have dedicated your souls to it.”
Garner apologized if he had omitted anyone from his long list of people to thank. And sure enough, one other entity was mentioned.
J.T. Cotner reminded the authority that the Moore County Planning Department put together the economic package used in its initial presentation more than a year ago. Nancy Roy, who was planning director at that time, was responsible for putting together that proposal, which is still being used to provide an overall view of the airport and the community it serves.
The Moore County Airport lost passenger service in April 2002, when US Airways closed operations here as a result of combined factors, including the slow economy and the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Since that time, the county formed the task force to recruit a new airline, and the task force has been working as part of a consortium of small airports facing a similar need. Other airports in that consortium are located at Fayetteville, Wilmington, Hickory, New Bern and Kinston.
