WWW is right that Welshpool may never be a golden economic money machine however
1) the chance of the money for a dual carriageway from Shrewsbury being made available and happening in the next 10 years.........
2)Companies base their decisions to invest into a town / area on what the infra-structure ACTUALLY has in place, not in vague promises. Yes, of course there are incentive grants but when that runs out, the business has to work within the facilities around it. I am not suggesting that an airport is a first requirement, but it is one of many factors that help sway a decision
3) If there was a significant facility at W'pool and it only helped to persuade 2 or 3 substantial employers to come to the town, then that would bring millions into the local economy.
I know local business people are most certainly enthusiastic for the development of Welshpool Airport as air travel is actually very cost effective. Much as WWW may caste W'pool as an industrial backwater, there are nevertheless many very significant businesses contributing not only to the local economy, but actually providing high grade services / products to industry, from electronic R&D to several multi million pound companies supplying a very quality demanding components into the Automotive OEMs.
W'pool certainly does need a good airport to help it move forward. What it does not need is negative vibes from those who jest at the value of the High St in comparison to more affluent areas. I daresay WWW did not intend a slur but as a former local with humour like that, he might find locals ain't so friendly to him anymore.
Me....I am not from W'pool, but happen to have invested in the town's industrial base. I don't need longer runways for my use, but I know a large American Corporation, who were
disappointed with W'pool and are now going to base their manufacturing near a Midland Airport. Perhaps they would have anyway, but......given a better airport ??
The thread appears to have been very much me...me ..me, where G A has been concerned. G A is not going to lose an airfield, but if you want to keep the locals happy, give them something that helps bring many jobs to the town rather than a few jobs for the few fun flyers as they perceive it. (They don't necessarily follow that the pilot buzzing over their head 2/3 yrs ago, may well be driving them on holiday to Malaga etc in the next year or two!)
I am a flyer too and I do not want us to lose anymore airfields in UK and be subject increasing bureacratic rules. Therefore, we should face the challenge of regional airports enthusiastically and ensure that our positive views shape their development in a favorable way to GA, rather than talking negatively and saying that they will never be viable. (Not meant to be a go at WWW)
I'm sure the future for GA is good at Welshpool; it will be even better, if Welshpool Airport is more importantly seen as good for the town.
This has strayed from the thread of W'pool, but perhaps it raises another subject that others may wish to discuss.