As airport soars, so does our economy

Most of you reading this are far more familiar with the airport one state over than you are with the one right in your backyard.

That's OK. They both serve vital functions. One scatters passengers to the four corners of the globe. The other lands jobs.

Oversimplification notwithstanding, Coeur d'Alene Airport is a hub of economic development, with Empire Airlines the unofficial anchor and multiple manufacturers serving as air-industry satellites. This is not to say all regional air traffic is routed through Spokane International; Coeur d'Alene Airport is one busy place with corporate jet traffic, particularly during the gorgeous North Idaho summers. And who knows? It might one day play a more significant role in commuter travel, as well.

But all these headlines recently about the firing and rehiring of airport manager Greg Delavan haven't been mere space-fillers. Delavan matters because your airport matters.

As today's front-page story reminds readers, Coeur d'Alene Airport/Pappy Boyington Field are responsible for at least $130 million annually to the local economy, with hundreds of good jobs involved and a strong base for the aerospace industry to continue to grow. Just last Tuesday, a front-page story announced the launch of Empire Unmanned, an airport-based supplier of unmanned aerial vehicles for the agriculture industry. It's the first such company to receive FAA drone certification, and it's not hard to imagine the possibilities for explosive growth.

While the airport's success and blossoming significance has too many fingerprints on it to count, Delavan's very clearly are attached. We applaud the county commissioners reinstating Delavan this week by a 2-1 vote, but we're saddened by citizens who want to demonize Commissioner Dan Green for his "no" vote. As maddening as the silence around public personnel moves can be to taxpayers, anyone who knows Green at all can be assured that he did what he did for reasons he thought best.

Green's extensive business background and his thorough grasp on managing employees make him one of the most competent and intelligent Kootenai County commissioners in decades. He's the rare candidate who is making far less as a commissioner than he was in his previous profession. Those who know him well also vouch for his integrity and his dedication to the community. He's not serving as a commissioner to pay his bills or strut around in some hot political spotlight.

It's our hope that the final chapter of this ugly personnel dispute can now be closed, and together, our communities rally behind this outstanding facility. For the North Idaho economy to really take off, a well-run, industrious Coeur d'Alene Airport is imperative.