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The most pressing issue for the people of Rhode Island is the creation of jobs. The Providence Chamber of Commerce needs to be reminded of this.

The cost for airline operations is an important component of jobs creation. Now that airline costs are going through the roof, we are seeing airlines cutting back on operations.

Somehow RIAC needs to deal with this increasing cost problem. The Providence Chamber of Commerce needs to recognize this problem too. When airline operations are cut back because of excessive airport costs right now -- long before any extension is built, then out of state employers are far less likely to locate businesses here.

Let's compare T.F. Green Airport to Eppley Field on the Nebraska/Iowa border. Roughly the same number of passengers. Very similar infrastructure. Both facilities are nice. Both airport authorities borrowed to build new facilities. But Eppley costs the airlines less than half the cost of Green. Which airport would a new business want when considering relocating a plant or office complex to the area? This is what the chamber needs to focus on.

All the Providence Chamber needs to do is ask RIAC how much the cost of operations to the airlines will increase to cover the $10 million per year or so in increased debt service to cover the extension financing. Given that increase, then what number of reduced operations does RIAC expect or worse yet, what airlines will pull out.

Sure, the Providence Chamber wants to comment on the City Council's action. But, the chamber needs to realize that opening up the meeting for those comments also opens it up for citizen comments too. Given that, the chamber needs to prepare for the answer about how the loss of airline operations or the departure of airlines themselves will impact the chamber's ability to attract new employers to Rhode Island.

Because the creation of jobs should be the chamber's mission, not the unsustainable building of useless infrastructure at great cost to the taxpayers of Rhode Island

From: Council asked to drop FAA appeal

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