City is looking for a new manager at its airport

Springfield is looking for a new airport manager to lead a facility that impacts close to 800 jobs and about $40 million in payroll.

The Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport has received several upgrades over the past several years including the installation of about 10 new hangars valued at close to $5 million. The airport also serves as a hub for research conducted by the Air Force Research Laboratories into technology that will allow businesses and researchers to test unmanned aerial vehicles beyond the line of sight.

The new manager will continue with work started by former manager Don Smith, who retired in late October after serving the airport for about four years, said Tom Franzen, assistant city manager and director of economic development for Springfield.

“The airport is in good shape,” Franzen said. “Don came on at a time when we had begun certain investments and processes out there.”

The new manager will be responsible for managing issues like capital improvements, the airport’s relationship with the Federal Aviation Administration, and runway and other maintenance projects. Several private companies also operate at the airport, including S Jet and Spectra Jet, a firm specializing in performing maintenance on Learjet and Bombardier Challenger aircraft at the airport.

Information from the Ohio Department of Transportation shows the airport has a significant economic impact in Clark County, directly and indirectly impacting close to 800 jobs and more than $40 million in payroll. Indirectly, ODOT estimates the airport is tied to more than 1,450 total jobs and $78.5 million in payroll. Contact this reporter at 937-3280355 or email Matt.Sanctis@ coxinc.com.