http://159.54.226.83/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070609/OPINION/706090304/1048 OPINION: Delta flights provide lift for the Mid-Valley Using the Salem airport will benefit area's economy June 9, 2007 Mid-Valley residents have welcomed Salem's new Delta connection mainly for the travel time they'll save. But the Salem-Salt Lake City flights will boost the local economy as well. Take the car-rental counter at the airport. Normally, it's a quiet spot where Hertz and Budget agents vie for the occasional walk-in traveler. But on Thursday, arriving passengers on the first flight from Salt Lake City rented four cars, said a happy Lucinda Holzman, the Hertz agent. She had 25 reservations lined up for later this month. The new flights mean new jobs, too. The Transportation Security Administration has hired eight new workers and transferred three more to McNary Field. SkyWest has hired 18 full-and part-time employees to work the Salem ticket counter, load baggage and direct planes. Their salaries will circulate through the local economy as they pay for goods, services and taxes. The city's million-dollar investment in the new security screening building and upgrades to the airport terminal already are in progress. Local businesses got the contracts, said Linda Norris, assistant city manager. That sent tax money back out into the community once more. Fuel for SkyWest airplanes. Taxi fares to bring incoming passengers to town. Meals that visitors buy in restaurants. Motel stays. Room taxes paid on motel stays. Improvements to the city's historic buildings, paid for by room taxes. It adds up. No one expects every one of those 36,000 seats a year to Salt Lake City and 36,000 return seats to be filled. But even half of those would boost the Mid-Valley's bottom line. That's money in our local pockets instead of in the Portland metropolitan area when people fly through PDX. Money for our neighbors' paychecks, for our local businesses and for taxes to keep our cities and counties strong. And the more local people who fly out of SLE, the better this airport will look when Delta officials consider adding a second destination. The better it will look when Horizon or some other airline considers jumping in. Save time and invest in the Mid-Valley's future: Fly Salem. Copyright 2007 Statesman Journal, Salem, Oregon ____________________________________________________________________________________ Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell. http://searchmarketing.yahoo.com/ <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you wish to unsubscribe from the AIRLINE List, please send an E-mail to: "listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx". Within the body of the text, only write the following:"SIGNOFF AIRLINE".