Chief Executives From Utah, Connecticut, Michigan Issue Proclamations For September
Utah Governor Gary Herbert, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder have all passed proclamations recognizing the value of aviation to the national and local economy in the month of September, meaning that 45 state Chief Executives around the country have now passed proclamations recognizing the value of aviation.
In Utah, September has been named “Aviation Appreciation Month” by Governor Gary Herbert. According to the Utah Department of Transportation, general aviation in Utah contributes $815 million to the state’s economy and supports 9,257 jobs. Meanwhile in Connecticut, Governor Dannel Malloy has declared September to be “Aviation Appreciation Month.” According to a 2006 Merge Global study, general aviation in Connecticut contributes $2.4 billion to the state’s economy and aerospace and aviation industry account for 45,800 jobs in the state. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has also made September “Michigan Aviation Month.” Aviation in Michigan supports thousands of jobs and aviation-related activities alone contribute over $10 billion to the state’s economy annually.
“Around the county, aviation and general aviation in particular is an economic engine and literal lifeline to thousands of communities, providing medical care, law enforcement and a host of important services, and connecting businesses with new markets and customers in different regions of the country,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “We commend these Governors for helping to raise awareness about the invaluable importance of aviation and general aviation to our country.”
In addition, three other states have issued second proclamations, raising public awareness about the aviation and general aviation this month. Governor Sean Parnell of Alaska and Governor Tim Corbett of Pennsylvania have each specifically recognized general aviation by naming September “General Aviation Appreciation Month” and “General Aviation and Aerospace Appreciation Month” respectively. Governor Mark Dayton of Minnesota has also proclaimed September “Aviation and Aerospace Month.”
Nationwide, there are a growing number of elected officials working to recognize and support general aviation. Governor Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota, Governor C.L “Butch” Otter of Idaho, Governor Mary Fallin of Oklahoma and Governor John Lynch of New Hampshire have in the last year written to President Obama asking him to recognize the critical importance of the general aviation industry to the national economy and communities around the nation.
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