The VABA is pleased to announce the results of our Venice Municipal Airport Direct Economic Impact Study. Although under no obligation to do so, the commercial business tenants at the Airport, who for the most part are private enterprises, have agreed to share certain key operating statistics, in the aggregate, with the other members of the Venice community.

In 2000, the City of Venice published the currently approved Airport Master Plan Update. Its Chapter eleven contains a detailed economic analysis that indicates that the Venice Municipal Airport contributes some $22,000,000.00 in direct economic impact to our region.

Recently, critics of the Airport have suggested that the number can’t possibly be that high and have sought to marginalize the 2000 study.

Our commercial business tenant Members have taken this extraordinary action in an effort to demonstrate to our community that our commercial Airport activities represent a significant economic engine and have significant positive direct impact on Venice.

These statistics were developed by interviewing each of the Airport Avenue Concerns, and then aggregating the data so that the privacy of any one contributor is maintained.

The following data do not take into account any indirect economic contribution… we are not economists and accordingly do not feel qualified to offer such an opinion.

The following data also do not take into account any economic contributions made to the community by the Airport Administration employees, the Golf Course, the Sarasota County Sheriff or Sharkeys on the Pier which are obviously significant.

During the calendar year 2007 we believe the Airport Avenue Concerns brought gross revenues in the aggregate of approximately $19,900,000.00 to our community.

During the same period, the Airport Avenue Concerns employed approximately ninety (90) equivalent full time employees for an aggregate payroll of approximately $3,600,000.00.

The Airport Avenue Concerns have made aggregate investments of approximately $16,000,000.00 in their leaseholds, equipment and fixtures at our Airport.

The same Airport critics may seek to impugn these voluntary disclosures. However we choose to leave it to you, our fellow members of the Venice community to decide for yourselves how important our business activities at the Airport are to the economic health of our great City.

Thank you for your interest and consideration,

The Venice Airport Business Association

A C Schmieler

President