News Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2007

Columbus, OH -- Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher today announced that Governor Strickland’s Executive Budget includes a $2.5 million allocation to Dayton International Airport for infrastructure improvements to Concourse D.

"The Ohio Department of Development and the Department of Transportation have created an unprecedented partnership that supports the infrastructure and economic development needs of Ohio’s airports," said Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, who also serves as Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "I am proud to announce that Dayton, the Birthplace of Aviation, will be the first airport to receive these critical funds pending General Assembly approval."

Joining Lt. Governor Fisher at today's announcement were State Representative Fred Strahorn, Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin, Dayton City Commissioner Matt Joseph, Montgomery County Commissioners Debbie Lieberman and Judy Dodge, Airport Director Iftikar Ahmad, and Dayton Chamber of Commerce President Phil Parker.

"The air travel industry is a challenging and competitive field. The idea is to make the facility as attractive as possible to a new carrier or carriers both physically and economically," said Representative Fred Strahorn. "The end result will be good paying jobs to the Dayton area."

The Dayton International Airport is the only commercial airport in Southwest Ohio, serving a 12 county, tri-state region. In 2006 more than 1 million passengers traveled through Dayton International, an increase of 7% from the previous year. Airport officials and city leaders will utilize the state funds to pursue development opportunities for airline attraction or expansion to the Dayton market, which could result in job growth and competitive fare pricing for passengers.

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Media Contact: Nikki Jaworski (614) 466-9161