can lay claim to has been an economic strategy that is starting to pay off for Corrigan. Boasting the longest serving runway in the State of Alabama and a newly-minted state-of-the-art traffic control tower as well as plenty of land airside and industriallybased acreage to play with, this dynamic little airport is an enviable and growing aviation hub. It is not a stretch to say, as a direct result of Corrigan’s tireless efforts, that Craig Field Airport has now grown to represent a regional economic engine.The airport has the tailwind behind it to serve as an unmatched gateway to the beautiful and economically diverse region of Selma and Dallas County. THE ROUTE BACK FROM ECONOMIC DECLINE TO AVIATION GROWTH Once largely neglected after the military base shutdown, Corrigan has taken on the awesome responsibility of ensuring that the airport’s assets are utilized to their full capacity while maximizing its economic potential in the interest of regional expansion. After spending 21 years flying for Delta Airlines following his transition from the military, coming “home” to direct the future of the airport that is so close to his heart represented a prime opportunity for Corrigan. “We are a general aviation airport,” Corrigan begins. “Before the military base closed in 1977, there had been two working 8,000-foot runways, but when a military [operation] is closed, a general aviation airport can not afford to keep two runways open.” Corrigan points out that with the closure of the Craig Airfield Base, the region unfortunately faced an economic downturn for some time.When it came time for Corrigan to take over airport duties, it was helpful, however, that he just so happened to hold close ties to the airport and was familiar with the economic setbacks of the past. He had been stationed at Craig Field at the beginning of his aviation career and flew F-16s for 23 years. With an insider’s knowledge of the airport’s past, he possessed a clear understanding of just where his vision could take Criag Field long term. 171 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07 CRAIG FIELD AIRPORT
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