Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 9

221 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 9 airports to test the airport’s emergency plan. “We try to promote the airport and the aviation industry in general whenever we can,” says Hickman, “and so for the past couple of years, we have done work with the local schools – everything from daycare through elementary and middle schools – to offer tours of the facility. It is a lot of fun for everyone. We usually bring out some of the equipment. Eagle Air often brings out a pilot and one of their aircraft and the kids get to climb up inside the plane and ask questions. We also run them through all of the security and TSA checkpoints, which the kids seem to get a kick out of. Our FBO, Centric Aviation, gets involved as well and we show the visitors a really fun time. We want to continue to do things like that and expand our outreach into the community as we continue to grow.” So, what is next for San Luis Valley Regional Airport? The completion of the Master Plan will help to determine that, but possibilities include looking at solar power – they do have almost daily sunshine after all – and expansion of the parking facilities. The infrastructure needs to advance along with the usage, but they are well on their way to continued growth. “It has been tricky during COVID, but we are seeing the other side of that now,” Hickman admits, “and there is still a lot of possibility for growth here. We are seeing that in the town as well. This is an exciting time to be involved in the airport and I cannot wait to see where it goes from here.” SAN LUI S VALLEY REGIONAL A I RPORT