Updated information from a 2007 Oregon Dept. of Aviation Study
Complete Report
Economic Impact chart

Historical information:

This 1995 information was provided by Oregon Department of Transportation-Aeronautics Section which is now the Department of Aviation.

Direct Impact

In 1995, there were 19 aviation-related tenants, including the airport sponsor and to ODOT-Aeronautics Section located at the airport. In 1995, general aviation operations at the airport accounted for approximately 16,500 visitors who arrived in the area. The direct or first round employment, payroll, and output impacts related to the airport's tenants were derived from survey data. Visitor impacts were calculated using statewide expenditure estimates. For 1995, the total combined direct output stemming from all on-airport aviation-related tenants and all visitor-related was estimated at $23.5 million. In 1995, on-airport tenants and visitor-related employees accounted for for 282 direct or first round jobs; these jobs had an estimated direct payroll of $6.2 million.

Secondary Impact

Direct on-airport tenant and general aviation visitor impacts also create secondary impacts through-out Oregon. Secondary benefits are made up of induced and indirect impacts calculated with the IMPLAN multipliers.

Total Impact

For 1995, the total output (including direct and secondary impacts) stemming from all on-airport tenants and from general aviation visitors to Salem McNary Field was approximately $49.7 million. Total full-time employment related to all airport tenants and to all general aviation visitors, including all secondary impacts, was estimated at 589 persons. A total annual payroll (direct and secondary) of approximately $10.9 million was estimated to be associated with these jobs.

Other Benefits

Salem McNary Field is used by a number of area businesses, their suppliers, and parent companies as and alternative to driving. For example, May Trucking, Praetzer Industries, Entek Corporation, Holiday Retirement, West Coast Washers and Fasteners, Microflect, and Oregon Research and Development all base aircraft at the airport. In addition, the airport is frequented by numerous companies, located outside of the area, when they conduct business in Salem. These companies include Hewlett-Packard, Jeld-Wen, Nordstroms, Washington Power and Les Schwab Tires. FedEx and UPS each have one flight a day to pick up and deliver freight and packages. FedEx also has a distribution center on the airport which employees approximately 50 people. Although commercial service is not available at the airport, Hut Limousine offers scheduled shuttle van service from the airport to Portland International Airport. Great American Airways offers Salem residents chart flights to casinos in Reno about four times a month.* State legislators also fly into the airport during the legislative session. The ODOT-Aeronautics Section's primary office, as well the State's fleet of aircraft are located at the airport.

In addition to business flights, there are a significant number of less obvious activities that take place at the airport that contribute to the well-being of the region. The airport provides FBO services, training flights, aircraft restoration, aerial photography, forest fire fighting, traffic and news reporting, shipping of "just in time" goods, law enforcement and prisoner transport, aerial advertising, real estate tours and search and rescue activities. The Army National Guard is also based at the airport. Their activity includes training and military aircraft repair. Recently, the airport was the host of the the Ninth World Helicopter Championship Competition. This was the first time the event was ever held in the United States.

There is an on-airport industrial park which is home to several businesses which contribute to the aviation industry. II Morrow, Inc.** manufactures LORAN navigation equipment for both marine and aviation uses. MicroFlect. also located in the industrial park, manufactures radar towers for the FAA. In addition, Norris Paint is located in the airport's industrial park; they manufacture paint used for marking runways and highways.

* Great American Airways no longer offers charter flights in Salem.
** II Morrow is now Garmin Industries