GAMA Rally Highlights GA in Michigan

The benefits of the general aviation industry to the state of Michigan was the focus of GAMA’s latest rally. GAMA held the rally, its 15th since 2009, on June 17 at Duncan Aviation’s facility in Battle Creek. The event drew leaders from aviation companies with facilities in Michigan, such as Avfuel, Williams and L-3 Communications, as well as U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.).

“General aviation supports thousands of Michigan jobs, attracts economic investment and impacts the lives of millions of Americans every day,” Peters said. “An expanding aviation industry in Michigan brings an opportunity to build a skilled workforce that can compete with aviation manufacturers across the world.”

GAMA pointed to a 2015 PricewaterhouseCoopers study finding general aviation in Michigan supports 23,000 jobs and generates $4 billion in annual economic outputs. “Our impact goes much further than the jobs we directly support,” said Duncan Aviation president and CEO Aaron Hilkemann. “Because most of our customers come from a great distance, they often stay in local hotels, rent cars, eat in our local restaurants and spend money in our stores.”

Avfuel president and CEO Craig Sincock, L-3 Aviation Products president Stuart Mullan and Williams v-p for business development Matt Huff further emphasized the global presence of the industry and the benefits of its innovation.