potential business growth opportunities. Bates discusses the business environment around the airports. “We have some room for expansion for commercial use at both airports. The properties aren’t buildready, but developing them wouldn’t take much.” This indicates a strategic opportunity for businesses looking to set up operations within the region. The existing businesses include Chautauqua Aircraft Sales and Centric Aviation in Jamestown, which provide repair services and fixed-base operations, respectively. Additionally, FedEx has a building on the field, though it doesn’t handle flights directly from the airport. Dunkirk hosts Rose Aviation, a repair shop, and Barnes Avionics, a new business specializing in aircraft electronics. Fischer highlights the recent and ongoing infrastructure projects designed to bolster the airports’ capacity and safety. “Two years ago, we rehabilitated our primary runway at Jamestown, essentially giving us a new runway expected to last at least 20 years. This project was 100% federally funded,” she explains. This substantial upgrade ensures that the airport can handle increased traffic and larger aircraft in the future. The fencing around the airport has also been entirely redone through FAA grants, with a two-phase project just completed this year”. Dunkirk is not left behind in this wave of upgrades. Fischer outlines, “We did Taxiway Alpha East rehabilitation and are planning to do the west side soon, providing a brand new parallel primary taxiway.” In addition, the secondary runway at DKK, Runway 15-33, now boasts new LED lighting and signage, enhancing both safety and operational efficiency. Safety protocols are a paramount concern, as Bates points out. “We were just approved for a grant for foam testing technology which will attach to our current fire truck, ensuring foam will not enter the environment. Previously, our part 139 inspections required spraying foam for the inspectors, but this new equipment allows testing within the truck 185 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 07 CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AIRPORTS
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