Aviation View | April 2021

129 AVIATION VIEW APRIL 2021 “We are a huge economic driver for the region and work closely with the city to promote and connect the community to other parts of the country and the world,” explains Foster, further. “Tourism is a big part of the economy as well, and even though it took a hit with COVID, the region is known primarily for its outdoor activities and recreation, so it was still possible to take advantage of our local tourism industry such as guided winery tours, fishing, camping, hiking, biking, zip-lining, and the national parks.” The first airport in the Medford area goes back to 1922, when it was a landing field for the U.S. Forestry Department. The field was then leased for four years to the Pacific Air Transport Company, and in 1930, the Medford Municipal Airport began operation as a state-of-the-art facility. It was not until 1971 that ownership was transferred from the City of Medford to Jackson County. Then in 1994 the airport was granted a Foreign Trade Zone, and the current iteration as the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport began. “When you look at us today,” says Foster, “we have a 110,000-sq.-ft. terminal building with a main concourse and an open air observation deck and a restaurant on the second floor, and the first floor has a gift shop for both the public and screened passengers. We have six main gates and thirteen ground loading gates, and in of June 2020, we added our second passenger loading bridge. This second bridge enables us to accommodate the larger aircraft safely and efficiently. Prior to COVID, we were projecting two million passengers per year by 2040 – and that means meeting the demands of our airline partners.” Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, operated by the Jackson County Airport Authority, employs between 40 and 50 people and offers five on-site and one off-site car rental agencies. All told, the airport accounts for $74 million in terms of local payroll. It is considered an Enterprise Fund and must be self-supporting ROGUE VALLEY INTERNAT IONAL – MEDFORD A I RPORT