"Firms plan for Peotone airport"

Tuesday, May 18, 2004

Firms plan for Peotone airport
Businesses told of opportunities
By Stanley Ziemba
The Chicago (IL) Tribune


Business owners and service providers from Will, southern Cook and Kankakee
Counties got a sneak preview Monday of the business opportunities likely to
materialize if the proposed airport near Peotone becomes a reality.

About 175 entrepreneurs, including building engineers and contractors,
concessionaires and a variety of service providers, met in Park Forest to
learn how they might participate as airport subcontractors, vendors and
suppliers.
 
Sponsored by the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce and Rep. Jesse
Jackson Jr.'s South Suburban Airport Commission, the event also served as an
opportunity for the chamber and commission to establish a database of
businesses that would be available to help build or service the proposed
airfield.

"This economic engine will breed a bounty of business opportunities and
contractor services," said Jackson (D-Ill.). "We expect to have 1,000
construction jobs in the next two years and 15,000 permanent jobs by 2009,
the first full year of the airport's operations."

Jackson is proposing that private developers build the first phase on 4,200
acres east of Peotone and west of Beecher, financed solely with private
money. Will County has a competing proposal, using a more traditional
funding approach of revenue bonds and state and federal grants.

Jackson provided a detailed presentation of his plan, defended the viability
of his public-private partnership and encouraged businesses to participate
in the airport's construction and operation.

He said the joint venture chosen to develop the airport likely would seek
competitive bids from local businesses for the majority of goods and
services. Those attending were divided by business type and received
information about how they could take part.

Among the service providers that would be needed, Jackson said, are
car-rental agencies, private security, janitorial firms, travel agencies,
food and beverage services, ground transportation companies, and aircraft
and ground maintenance firms.


 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dcfp/dcboard.php


*****************************************