GREENWOOD MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

As reported in the Daily Journal (12/13/2012), Greenwood Municipal Airport (GMA) improvements are helping to boost the airport's income.

After receiving property tax money to pay for projects such as lengthening and resurfacing the runway and other improvements, the airport has seen an increase in income from fuel sales, hangar rental fees and soon hopes to bring in jet traffic.

The added income GMA is experiencing means the airport should not need additional tax dollars to help support it. The airport even hopes to be able to contribute money back to the city to help other government services.

The Greenwood Municipal Airport is having a positive economic impact for the city of Greenwood and surrounding area according to a study performed by the Indiana Department of Transportation, the Aviation Association of Indiana and the Conexus Indiana workforce development agency as reported by the Daily Journal.

Air traffic and business at the airport helps support 105 jobs in the local area and adds more than $27 million to the local economy.

Of all the smaller general aviation airports in the Indianapolis metro area, Greenwood airport ranks second in highest economic impact.

Planned improvements, expansion and upgrades will make the Greenwood Airport even more attractive to corporate and private jet traffic and will boost business at the airport.

Photo courtesy of Rich Bradbury, Bradbury Photography

Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers believes GMA should stay at its present location and supports lengthening its runway to 5,000 ft or better to promote use by more charter companies who often have a minimum 5,000 ft requirement. The runway is currently 4,900 ft.

The City has requested an extension to 5,500 feet. Ralph Hill, Airport Manager, believes the runway should be as long as possible for safety reasons.

The airport plans to repave the runway, adding rain groves in the process. Ideally, lengthening of the runway should be accomplished around the same time if FAA approval is received in time.

It is estimated that with lengthening the runway there could be as many as 600 jet take offs and landing per year. Currently, there are around 460 take offs and landings.

The Greenwood Municipal Airport served an important role for key attendees of the Super Bowl held in Indianapolis, February 5. Excellent weather conditions contributed to high attendance and plenty of traffic at GMA. The airport's proximity to downtown Indianapolis was a big factor. The airport experienced a record number of corporate and privately owned aircraft landings in its history with about 100 over a 36-hour period.

See our Super Bowl photo gallery featuring photos taken by local photographer, Rich Bradbury, of airport support personnel, guest arrivals including several celebrities, and local press coverage.