|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
MEDIA
CONTACT: Bob Caton |
State Rep. Todd Eachus |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eachus: FAA approves cargo airport airspace plan
HAZLETON, May 3 -- State Rep. Todd Eachus joined local business leaders to announce that the Federal Aviation Administration has formally approved the airspace plan for Hazleton’s proposed cargo airport that is expected to directly create nearly 5,000 jobs and invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the area’s economy.
“This is a major step forward in our combined effort to revitalize the economy of the Greater Hazleton area,” Eachus said. “Airspace approval means that the FAA has fully reviewed the application and it agrees with us: Hazleton is an ideal location for a cargo-specific airport than can help vault our area into becoming a major international trade zone that will create good-paying jobs right here in northeastern Pennsylvania.”
Eachus noted the recent independent WYLN-TV poll that showed nearly 70 percent of area residents overwhelmingly support the proposed airport.
“It was great to be able to say to the working families of the area, ‘We want to bring in high-wage, high-skill jobs while helping our existing businesses and developing brand-new industries,’” Eachus said. “Gladstone Partners and I were confident that once the facts came out about the enormous potential of this project, the people of the area would be on board and ready to help make it happen.”
Eachus was joined by officials from Gladstone Partners for the announcement at the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades headquarters located at CanDo Corporate Center.
“I’ve always said that government can’t create jobs, but government can and should be a catalyst to create jobs,” Eachus said. “This is a textbook example of how the process should work, and I’m going to continue to do all I can to make sure this project gets the state support it deserves from Harrisburg. This project represents hope for the future of our region and the future of employment in northeastern Pa.
“This is great news, but we aren’t slowing down – we’re getting right back to work to make this cargo airport a reality.”
##bc/2007/agh
l:\print\releases\AirCargo2.116