The vote was unanimous, a powerful statement of support from the city for the stated goal of creating a business incubation center targeted to renewable energy. Among other benefits, a more effective zoning structure that will facilitate commercial development that suits the communities interests.
A Public Private Partnership that Works
The airport is owned by the entrepreneur team of Benny and Julie Benson, both engineers and the founders of ENERGYneering Solutions, Inc.
specialists in renewable energy from design engineering to plant operations now headquartered at the airport.
They hired Hobbs Magaret to take charge of managing the airport and to spearhead the effort to expand and resurface the runway. Working with the Oregon Department of Transportation public-private partnership program Hobbs Magaret led a successful grant application to obtain the necessary runway funding. May 2013 the expanded airstrip reopened. Now 3,550 feet in length and 60 feet wide the airstrip serves a broader range of aircraft including many private and corporate jets.
With the completion of the annexation they plan to attract other businesses in the renewable energy industry to locate in the Eagle Airport region.
Sisters is long known as a hamlet of artists and thinkers, inspired by the splendor of the region. In many ways the science of sustainability is an art in and of itself. Applying the cycle of life to the cold absolutes of engineering and limitations of physics to reach the maximum efficiency and minimizing impact on our world. That’s art, isn’t it?
Renewable Energy
The focus on renewable energy fits well into the regions environmental culture as well, it will expand the alternative energy industry “talent” and businesses clustering in the region.The public-private partnership concept has served this community well.
The Evolution of Travel…
An increasing economic opportunity for the Sisters area, the high end lodging industry in particular, is the increase in private air travel amongst the affluent and business travelers. As reported earlier the emergence of Honda’s new jet will likely increase the rate of growth in private air travel. Honda has a history of doing just that, both the automobile and motorcycle industries ex[anded as a result of their engineering and pricing competition.
Understanding this market and developing strategies to target it will dramatically increase off-season travel and “select” room rates in all seasons. One of the best examples in the country of how to attract this growing jet traveler is Bandon Dunes. Newport Airport is also having success in this market.
The artisan community stand to do very well also, in particular, fine arts galleries will see more ‘well heeled’ buyers and I suspect architects and designers will have an opportunity to see them as well. Unique home furnishings also, the affluent will direct their Interior and exterior designers to sources for unique furniture and woodcraft, furniture and wood crafters from throughout the region would benefit by understanding this market.
