HomeMy WebLinkAbout24.05.09 - Minutes, Hag Regional AirportHagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission
Meeting Minutes of May 9, 2024
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HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION
Minutes of the Open Meeting
May 9, 2024
The Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission held a public meeting on Thursday,
May 9, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum Boardroom, 18450 Showalter
Road, Building 8, Hagerstown, Maryland.
Commission members present: Rob Ferree (Chair), Austin Colby (Vice Chair), Curtis Berry,
Samuel Cool, Randal Leatherman, Laurence Gross, George Stone, and ex-Officio County
Commissioner Randall Wagner. County staff members present included Andrew Eshleman
(Director of Public Works), Neil Doran (Airport Director), Jonathan Horowitz (Director of
Business Development), Giselle Butt (Administrative Assistant) and David Douglas (Office
Associate).
CALL TO ORDER
Rob Ferree called the meeting to order on May 9, 2024, at 3:00 pm.
CITIZEN’S PARTICIPATION
Carolyn Motz was present representing the Rider Jet Center. She congratulated John Seburn and
Kurtis Meyers on the growth and success of the Hagerstown Aviation Museum. She also
congratulated the airport staff on the growth in additional Allegiant flights for 2024. She also
discussed ideas for marketing the new flight schedule.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion made by Mr. Cool and seconded by Mr. Leatherman to approve the minutes of the April
11st, 2024, meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
AIRPORT DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Neil Doran, Airport Director, provided his report including that he will be attending JumpStart,
an Air Service Development Conference, May 20-22 in Washington, DC. He will be meeting
with Allegiant and Landline. Mr. Doran and a representative from Shenandoah Valley Regional
Airport (SHD) in Virginia will also meet with the Air Service Development director, Tom Reich,
of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) to discuss interest in having
United Airlines-branded, Landline-motorcoach service between HGR and SHD to Dulles
International Airport. Southern Airways Express also asked to meet with Neil while at the
conference. There is also the potential to meet with one additional airline at the conference.
Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission
Meeting Minutes of May 9, 2024
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HGR will have its annual Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 139 certification
inspection on May 28-30. Taxiway Foxtrot construction and the terminal roof repair are
underway. The airport hosted a summit on April 29th with Washington County Commission
President Barr, Vice President Cline, several state Senators, and Delegates including Delegate
Wivell (who arrange the summit), along with Economic Development professionals from most
of the western Maryland counties were in attendance. Mr. Horowitz, Director of Business
Development was thanked for his presentation made at the event.
AIRPORT OPERATIONS REPORT
Mr. Bolanowski was unable to attend the meeting. No update given.
AIRLINE SERVICES UPDATE
Ms. Smith was unable to attend the meeting. No update given.
COUNTY COMMISIONER UPDATE
Mr. Wagner, ex-Officio County Commissioner, gave updates on the hiring status of several job
openings. The county’s staff is actively handling daily issues and complaints. Mr. Wagner
commented on the several events he and the board try to attend weekly in Washington County.
Budget hearing is to be held on May 15th at 6pm at the Public Safety Training Center.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Mr. Horowitz, Director of Business Development, provided updates including that there remains
additional, available office space located within the New Heights Industrial Park. One potential
lessee could be related to the Cannabis industry. Leslie Hart’s replacement has accepted the
position as the County’s next Agricultural Business Specialist. May 10th will see the grand
opening of the Conaire Distribution Center, believed to be one of the largest distribution centers
in Maryland, at 2.1 million square feet.
AAC MEMBER UPDATES
Mr. Colby commented on the Hagerstown Aviation Museum’s growth, and further planned
improvements. The museum acquired their existing buildings last March 2023 and have
completed renovations to the lobby and hangars. The museum has a Capital campaign goal of $6
million dollars to expand further the exhibits, improve core services, construct/create event space
and administrative offices, and a manufacturing exhibit to tell the story of “Rosie the Riveter”.
The Museum hopes to finalize the Capital campaign within the next year and to start phase one
of construction.
Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission
Meeting Minutes of May 9, 2024
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Mr. Eshleman commented that there is going to be a lot of construction activity at the airport.
The airport is working on communicating specific information regarding the construction
projects to airport users and the public.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made to adjourn by Mr. Colby. Motion was seconded by Mr. Cool. The meeting was
adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
David Douglas, Office Associate