Podcast 154: Airports as Economic Engines with Alan Tio

Episode 154 of the Econ Dev Show Podcast is out.

In this episode, Alan Tio shares his journey from earning his Master's in Public Administration to his current role as VP of Business Development at South Bend International Airport. He discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of airport-based economic development, including managing hundreds of acres of developable land and creating partnerships to maximize the airport's potential as a community asset. Tio emphasizes the importance of long-term planning and viewing the airport as the "front door" to the community for business development.

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As you may, or perhaps not know – not only do I publish the Econ Dev Show newsletter and podcast for free every week, but over the past year, I've also been developing a groundbreaking tool for economic development organizations: Sitehunt.

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Actionable Takeaways

1. View airports as strategic community assets beyond just transportation hubs
2. Focus on creating long-term partnerships rather than short-term wins
3. Look for opportunities that others might not see in your community
4. Use winter months for planning and preparation of development-ready sites
5. Understand the importance of first impressions - your community's "front door"
6. Develop comprehensive land use studies before marketing properties
7. Build relationships with local and regional partners for aligned development
8. Consider utilities and infrastructure needs early in the planning process
9. Take time to understand regional priorities when planning development
10. Focus on creating value for both companies and communities in partnerships

Episode Links

• Alan Tio, MPA, CEcD, MEDP | LinkedIn
• South Bend International Airport (SBN) | FlySBN