Business View Magazine | Volume 9, Issue 2

137 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 2 Anniston Regional caters to the existing local market, while inviting others to join. It is an interesting twist on a promotional style – to accept what you are, try to become better at it, and offer it authentically. So the city maintains and supports the airport, as it continues to market itself in an intentional and specific way. This organic growth has brought about evolution into even more of a regional airport. According to Bennington, “While there is an airport in Talladega, Anniston accommodates larger jets during Talladega Race Weekends. For corporate flights Anniston is always going to be easier than flying in and out of the larger airports like Atlanta. Being smaller also means it is easier to get in and out of, and faster overall. I think people have noticed these advantages during COVID, when the flow of corporate traffic to smaller and safer destinations increased. With that people have seen how this meets their operational needs much better and that will lead to growth.” Some of that growth has specific limitations. For example, there are 600 undeveloped acres of land, however, that land is to the south in the flood plain. “Which does not mean it would be impossible to develop, one just has to know that it would take extra effort to become shovel ready,” explains Bennington. “But much of that area could be cleared for a large enough entity. There have been plans and discussions made with different businesses who could utilize the airport regularly, such as a hub for a delivery type service such as a FedEx or UPS. Our location and proximity from the interstate are such a benefit that I am sure we would be able to move forward in that fashion.” Looking to the future, he adds, “I think the direction we need to be headed in the next two or three years is to continue to build on what we have accomplished, but also to continue to pursue the airport’s partnership with the surrounding municipalities. And to continue to create partnerships where everyone is at the table and participating in the ongoing development and operation of the facility. The more people we have at that table, the more in touch we will be with the future needs for our region.” ANNI STON REGIONAL A I RPORT