Sports tourism is also featured in the airport’s outreach efforts. “We try to promote the Johnstown Tomahawks,” says Cree, pointing out the team’s ties to the Midwest, where hockey culture runs deep. “Many Tomahawks players and part of the ownership hail from Chicago, giving the airport an angle to market Johnstown as a destination to hockey fans and families traveling from the Midwest,” he adds. ECONOMIC AND EDUCATIONAL GROWTH JST is pivotal in the local economy, driven by its commercial jet service and strategic community partnerships. “The jet service from SkyWest and United Express has been essential,” says Cree. Many companies require employees to fly on multi-engine aircraft for business trips, making the jet service a vital link for corporate travelers.“It’s brought business travelers back to the airport,” he adds, signifying how critical these flights are for local economic activity. The airport’s economic impact extends through its state-backed Airport Land Development Zone, which offers tax credits to attract new businesses and employment. The airport’s ambitions aren’t limited to traditional aviation; it’s also pushing forward in the rapidly evolving drone industry. Cree highlights the role of a nonprofit called Aerium, which promotes aviation education and technological advancement.“Aerium has been instrumental in introducing aviation courses at the high school level and collaborating with universities,” Cree explains.“In partnership with the Southern Alleghenies Planning Commission,Aerium secured a $1.9 million Smart grant to install sensors 139 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 11 JOHN MURTHA JOHNSTOWN-CAMBRIA COUNTY AIRPORT
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