Jackson Municipal Airport Authority Hosts Aviation Industry Day

By Mary Geter
Jackson Municipal Airport Authority

On August 31, the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA) held 2022 Aviation Industry Day, which focused on access to information about the aviation industry, how the Mississippi airports connect businesses to those opportunities, tools businesses will need to take advantage of the opportunities and, lastly, access to decision-makers.

This event was open to the public. Approximately 100-plus attendees comprised businesspeople, community leaders, Mississippi airport representatives, FAA officials, local elected officials, representatives of state and federal agencies, sponsors, stakeholders and partners.

JMAA Commissioner Ricky Jones; Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, City of Jackson; JMAA Interim CEO John Means; Col. Britt Watson, 172d Airlift Wing Commander, and Tom Heanue, Mississippi Airports Association President, were on hand to open the event.

The keynote luncheon speaker was Mr. Willie Simmons, Mississippi’s Central District Transportation Commissioner. Simmons provided an inspiring presentation about various issues impacting business owners and state- and national-level initiatives designed to address these issues.

During the day, event participants could choose among various sessions to discuss topics such as Women in Aviation, Contractor Licensing, Engineers & Contractors and Business Concepts after COVID. Then, following a structured process of brainstorming and information exchange, the day was finished with the state’s leading commercial air service airports unveiling their forecasts of upcoming design, construction and procurement activities through 2023.