Channault International Airport is the heart of the regional economy
Published on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, 12:34 p.m
(Especially for the American press)
Especially for the American press
Chennault International Airport designs, operates and markets itself as a place where its tenant partners – from national defense contractors to locally owned small businesses – can thrive and grow.
Chennault is a core part of Southwest Louisiana's economy.
More than 1,000 people work in companies large and small that operate on Chennault-owned properties. The airport works to expand economic opportunities and create jobs as part of its ongoing mission.
The main tenants include Northrop Grumman, LandLocked Aviation Services And Completion of the citadel on the aerospace side – and Louisiana Millworks/Masonite, CDL Mentors, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and soon the Louisiana National Guard also part of the complex.
All part of the plan
The last five years have been a process of founding and rebranding, said Executive Director Kevin Melton, the retired U.S. Air Force colonel who has led Chennault since 2018.
“It meant assessing, course-correcting and setting expectations,” Melton said.
These included:
• Understand the environment by identifying the challenges that hinder growth and good business operations.
• Change for the right reasons, which “is difficult for some,” Melton said.
• Establishing “core values or who we are; Understanding our mission – our plan of action to achieve the goal; and to create a vision of our end state, our goals – and what we can be for our community.”
• Create long-term foundations for airport operations and business operations.
• Establish policies and procedures to promote safety in all areas.
• Business policy adjustments to ensure Chennault and its long-term viability are always considered
• Support tenant partners effectively and efficiently.
• Lean, clean administrative processes.
• Maintain and improve existing facilities to increase efficiency.
Melton said of the appearance and development of the areas surrounding Chennault — particularly along Sen. J. Bennett Johnston Avenue, which fronts the airport — are also important.
“Aesthetics are important. The first impression counts. Our community is important,” he said. “It is a major obstacle to growth and business development. Our appearance is a direct expression of our pride and love for the community.”
The time ahead will require staying the course, Melton said. This includes supporting tenant growth with creative approaches to business development, such as:
• Continued marketing internationally. “Existing tenants are already having an international impact, so we have a proven track record of support.”
• Continued focus on increased flight operations.
• Promote a climate that attracts more aircraft.
Big influence
A study by the economist Dr. Loren Scott measuring Chennault's economic strength found that the airport:
• Has an annual economic impact of $410 million.
• Generates $136 million in new household income.
• Return $7.2 million in tax revenue to the local community and $11.4 million in tax revenue to the state.
According to a Department of Transportation and Development study last year, Chennault is No. 1 in overall performance among the state's 61 general aviation airports and No. 2 among all Louisiana airports – behind only New Orleans – in total payroll that it generates.
“But it’s one of the least government-funded,” Melton said.
Community support and state and federal resources are critical to economic development, he said.
“We want to build community understanding of the positive local impacts of Chennault – and, just as important, the negative impacts if the airport did not exist,” he said.
The time ahead of us
Melton sums up the roadmap for Chennault's future economic launch in one word: “infrastructure.”
“We have a methodical plan that requires investment in infrastructure and our future,” he said.
These facets include:
• Creating a resilient airport – one with underground power, facilities that can withstand storms, and infrastructure improvements to support growth.
Infrastructure development for the former Mallard Cove Golf Course site, now a popular airport site.
• Implement the $30 million infrastructure development plan to provide utilities and access to virtually every available airport location.
“We are already in the execution phase,” Melton said. “It is crucial for growth. If we don't do it, we can't grow. It’s the same formula for building a new neighborhood: you have to have roads and utilities before you can grow.”
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