The Santa Maria Public Airport Board of Directors will get an update from one of its biggest supporters today when Santa Maria Economic Development Commission Director Dave Cross delivers his annual report. The Board of Directors meets at the airport administration building at 7:00 p.m.
Airport General Manager Chris Hastert is one of five community leaders on the commission. Cross, EDC Chairman Bob Hatch, Santa Maria City Manager Rick Haydon and Community Development Director Larry Appel are the others, who, along with eight local business leaders, round out the commission.
The EDC, which receives $30,000 per year from the airport, promotes Santa Maria to businesses looking for a new home and assists local businesses in their expansion plans. It also conducts local economic surveys and provides informational workshops for business owners among many services.
“They do a great job for us. When we were putting together our Small Community Air Service Support grant they came through with some very important support letters,” Hastert said of the EDC. Hastert said the commission is an active participant in the development of the airport’s business park. The commission has facilitated relationships between the airport and other local businesses, Hastert said.
The Board of Directors will also discuss upgrading its access control systems that will improve security at its entry gates. Hastert said the airport improves its access control each year and the contract with San Luis Obispo-based Newton Construction and Management will continue that project. The work replaces old manual locks with electronic locks. The $68,339 contract will upgrade access control for two vehicle gates and one pedestrian gate, according to Hastert. “We have most of the terminal on that system already,” Hastert said.
8/9/12 By Brian Bullock/Staff Writer/bbullock@santamariatimes.com