Business View Magazine - August 2023

231 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 8 MT. VERNON OUTLAND AI RPORT Corporation and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to offer grant opportunities for potential tenants, such as EDA grants and Community Development Block Grants. Upgrading for the Future Along with recruitment to the Innovative Park, the airport is busy with upgrades to its facilities, including changing taxiways and the crosswind runway to LED lighting and updating the lighting on the large runway. “The bottom line is we will have state-of-the- art lighting on the airfield,” says Collins. Through a program called Rebuild Illinois, MVN received a $1 million grant to improve all of its parking lots and entry roads. Collins admits, “It’s huge for us because our parking lot at our main terminal was built in 1975 and those pavements date back to that vintage. So, we’re very excited to get those state funds.” On the subject of upgrades to hangar space, he quips, “All airports will tell you yes on that one,” acknowledging that the situation regarding hangar availability is cyclical. Over the years, the number of open Tee hangars has varied at MVN, due to factors such as aging tenants, changes in aviation interest, and aircraft ownership turnover. Currently, there are four openings, but the status can change rapidly, depending on demand and other circumstances. “It’s very costly to build one at the moment, and right now, we don’t need it,” he relays. “But it’s nice to have that building for the itinerant aircraft that comes in, the Gulf Stream or something that needs to be put in at night. So, we should always be looking to have another building and another space ready for a sudden need like that.” A Scenic and Ideal Location In terms of location, the airport benefits from its strategic position at the intersection of interstates 57 and 64, making it easily accessible to major markets like Memphis, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and Chicago. The airport is also well-connected with five class one railroads running through Jefferson County, attracting industries like Manner Polymers, which chose the area for its state-of- the-art facility due to the rail infrastructure. “Mount Vernon, the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation, the state of Illinois, the governor, our mayor, everybody worked together to launch that industry here,” describes Collins. “My part of it was shaking a hand on the ramp and keeping the runway open and safe.”