R.A. Wiedemann & Associates, Inc., performed an Airport Business Plan for Middlebury State Airport in 2008. At the time, Middlebury State Airport had the shortest paved runway in the state airport system. The Business Plan recommended adding 1,200 feet to the useable runway length. This would have an immediate impact on Airport activity and would enable more business type aircraft.
Not only would current users of the Airport have increased safety margins, but it would also open the door to more corporate and business activity.
This would create a significant source of revenue for J & M Aviation (the Airport FBO) and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) through hangar rents, fuel tax, and maintenance fees.
Another issue that Middlebury State Airport faced was that community sentiments regarding Middlebury State Airport were mixed. The economic benefits associated with the Airport were not always effectively communicated with the local residents. In particular, the value of the Airport in serving a larger region may not be appreciated by the general public and Middlebury and Addison County representatives.
Communication of these benefits helps to justify allocation of resources to the Airport. In order to help portray these benefits, an economic impact assessment of the Airport was prepared.