Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 8

155 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 8 and so the work we are doing will be benefitting different aspects of life, like agriculture and mapping, and it will be directly related, and have an effect on, how we plan and live our lives in the future.” For Brown, this is not so much a brand-new sector, but learning that is happening within an existing framework – the transportation sector. Michigan has a robust transportation sector with automotive and ground vehicles. It is also getting more and more into the water, air, and even UAVs. “Space has usually not been included in that equation,” says Brown, “so with the inclusion of space, we are just shifting how we see transportation. The legislation will have to consider what is above us and the role it plays in our lives. There have been states such as Florida, California, Virginia, New Mexico, and Texas that have already been building their economy with an understanding of how to thrive in space, OSCODA-WURTSMI TH A I RPORT we just need to catch up. It is exciting to have Oscoda participate in America’s future.” Last February, the Michigan Department of Transportation Bureau of Aeronautics awarded Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport an “Airport of the Year Award” in the General Aviation category. It is not hard to see why when you look at the Airport’s continuous upward trajectory. The curious thing is that it remains a relatively small general aviation population while all of this is also happening around them. “About a year ago Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport Authority was approached by the United States Air Force - Air Mobility Command about conducting a military exercise from our airfield,” says Kellan, “which was pretty exciting because we had not had any military presence here since the base closed in 1993. Air Mobility Command brought in 300 people and set up their own