Supporters Fight To Save Chambersburg Airport

Supporters are trying to save the Chambersburg Municipal Airport in Pennsylvania. Borough council members seem intent on selling the 93-acre airport this year to land developers. Airport supporters are considering several options to keep the airport open for the forseeable future. One option is to educate the local government on the field’s economic value and its ability to run profitably, like Chambersburg’s electric and gas utilities. Other ideas include the possibility of creating a municipal authority to buy the airport or finding a group of investors who might be willing to purchase the facility from the borough. [more]The Gazette, a local newspaper, reported Council President Bill McLaughlin told airport supporters they have until the end of the year to prevent the sale. “You’ve got eight months,” he told airport supporters. “Bring us something that could change our minds.” While some hope has been raised, the supporters have an uphill battle, as McLaughlin has openly stated he believes the borough should rid itself of the airport. A 1989 study concluded it was not significant to the area’s economic development and that, financially, it was not in the borough’s best interest to continue operating the airport. The council has already decided to authorize the sale of the airport to the highest bidder at year’s end. The clock is ticking.