A 'return to basics' in Dryden: Dryden puts airport expansion, business needs on its radar.

AuthorRoss, Ian
PositionDRYDEN / SIOUX LOOKOUT

Airports are not just places to catch a flight; they're fast becoming economic ; drivers in the many Northern communities.

Future economic opportunities for Dryden may come by air rather than down the Trans-Canada Highway.

"We're getting more deliberate in focusing on the aviation side of things," said Dryden Development Corporation's (DDC) office manager Nicole Gale.

Over the years, airport staff has quietly worked to land tenants like Discovery Air Fire Services, Kasper Aviation and Morgan Fuels. Gale said it's time to showcase those successes for a new marketing and site selection push to see what else can be done.

Driving investment toward the airport is one of those "low-hanging fruit" opportunities, she said.

Past studies indicate attracting aviation maintenance and mechanical service companies would be a good fit.

There is also ample acreage with its Airport East industrial park plan to lure some non-aviation light manufacturing and warehousing.

Interestingly enough, the airport has a licence agreement permitting them to draw significant amounts of water from a nearby spring, which could encourage a water bottler to set up shop.

A "definite plus" for the airport is its instrument landing system (ILS), the only airport in the region with such a navigation aid, Gale said.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry operate a district fire centre at the airport, employing some 200 people year-round.

Gale said the ministry is extending their land lease and will need more property for some "significant plans for their operations."

In working with airport manager Norm Sanders, "we've been having discussions looking at ways on how we start putting the airport on the front of our marketing initiatives and highlighting some of those strengths."

With a new five-year strategic plan in place, Gale said the big...

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