Business Council Lauds Lawmakers' Airport Runway Repaving Vote

From the Business Council of Westchester

The Business Council of Westchester’s Coalition for Westchester County applauds the Westchester County Board of Legislators for unanimously approving a $10 million bond act on Monday to rehabilitate Runway 16/34.

As the county’s only business membership organization focusing on economic development and advocacy, the BCW has been committed to working on enhancing – not expanding – services at the airport for the business community, the traveling community and the neighboring community. Most recently, this included organizing the business community to write letters in support of making the necessary repairs to the runway.

The last time that Runway 16/34 was repaved was in 1998, and it is now beyond the 20-year standard of an airport’s runway lifespan. Over the past two years, County Executive George Latimer’s administration has been developing the necessary plans to repave the runway, and Monday’s vote was an important step towards ensuring the safety of the traveling public.

“One of the most important aspects of airport safety is ensuring that runways have been adequately maintained to ensure a safe and secure operating environment,” said BCW executive vice president and chief operating officer John Ravitz, who also leads the Coalition. “The Coalition for Westchester Airports is extremely pleased that this rehabilitation project has been approved, which will also ensure that Westchester County Airport is maintaining Federal Aviation Administration standards.”

The Coalition for Westchester Airport was formed in August 2018 so that it could provide a reasoned voice to the public debate, separating myths from facts about enhancing the delivery of services at the airport. The Coalition is comprised of businesses large and small, as well as labor organizations, educators and nonprofits. Learn more at http://coalitionforwestchesterairport.org/.