R.A. Wiedemann & Associates, Inc., performed a business plan for Adirondack Airport in 2002. Issues considered by the plan included airport financial performance, the potential increased use of the airport by athletes and tourists traveling to Lake Placid, the attraction of additional corporate activity, the assessment of the management structure, economic development of an adjacent industrial park, runway extension feasibility, and community relations. The recommended plan of action incorporated four primary strategic initiatives:

  1. Stable Airport Management: The out-migration of based aircraft in the past was attributed in some measure to the changing Airport management and perceived lack of support from the Town leadership. The Town changed its past activities and firmly supported the Airport management, however, it was recommended that the previous perceived instability be countered with steady, long-term leadership.
  2. Attraction of Aircraft Maintenance FBO: The loss of Adirondack’s maintenance FBO in the mid-1990s signaled the decline in based aircraft and Airport activity. To regain based aircraft and for the long-term viability of the Airport, a significant aircraft maintenance FBO was needed. It was recommended that marketing be directed toward securing this type of on-airport business.
  3. Attraction of Corporate Aviation: The bulk of Airport revenues came from the sale of fuel. Corporate aviation represented a large user of fuel and as such, needed to be attracted to use the Airport. The continuing development of the Adirondack Airport Business Park along with direct marketing efforts in Northern New York and Canada was identified to attract this business aviation segment. The long runway length at Adirondack Regional Airport was ideally suited to take advantage of this market niche.
  4. Attraction of More Charter Activity: Olympic athlete training facilities in the area attracted up to 20,000 athletes, family, and media each year. If as many as one quarter of these visitors used the Adirondack Airport via charter aircraft, the Airport would become eligible to participate in federal entitlement funding of up to $1 million annually on capital improvement projects. The Airport would also benefit from increased aviation fuel sales and rental car usage.