The fascination with the Wellsville Airport

I find airports, in general, to be fascinating. Odd, since I'm afraid to fly...never have been in an airplane...I have been in a Guthrie medical helicopter (by choice) and Mercy Flight (not by choice). I truly don't understand the attraction!
Having said that, I have always been a supporter of the Wellsville Airport (there are 18 aircraft based there. The runway is 5,301' long and 100' wide). I've also heard the rants about the cost. The Wellsville Airport has always been paired with a private, for-profit company (they pay their way). Then there are the federal grants that the Wellsville Airport receives. Aha! say some...our taxes pay for that federal grant. Actually, no, they don't. Those FAA grants actually come from fuel and other surcharges on the aviation industry. It's a user-funded system, primarily. Those grants don't come out of your personal taxpaying checkbook.
So, then, we move to the rants about 'why does Wellsville need a damn airport?' Okay, fair question. Would you believe local businesses depend on the airport?
Back in the day, Air Preheater could accomplish in hours would could have taken days - thanks to the airport. That, my friends, is huge. (Yeah, but that was some time ago, what about today?). Again, fair question.

As a weather and news nerd, I follow an application called FlightAware. Have you ever heard of the company Otis Eastern in Wellsville. You know, that little pipeline company in little Allegany County that employs GOBS of people. The owner, Charlie Joyce, considered to be a quiet yet powerful Republican playmaker at the national level. On a Saturday morning (today), their Beechcraft Super King Air 200 (twin-turboprop) departed Toledo, Ohio at 8:52 a.m. and landed in Wellsville at 9:51 a.m. Another Otis Eastern plane from Ohio will touch down around 2 p.m. Saturday. A quick review shows planes have landed in Wellsville this month from Houston, Austin, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Hornell and other spots. Each flight was business related and impacting Allegany County.
Not too long ago, the Town of Wellsville local government took over control of airport operations. I was initially concerned, but things seem to be running smoothly. However, the Town of Wellsville needs to start singing the praise of the airport LOUDLY. Market the damn thing - something it rarely does, because heaven forbid we share a success. Local companies use that airport. Higher education uses that airport. Life-saving organ donor teams use that airport. Just because 'you' don't use the airport doesn't mean it has no purpose.
For the past thirty+ years, the Town of Wellsville has properly made sure the Wellsville Airport stood above others in the region. Budgeting was solid and the regional economy needs it.
The Wellsville Airport isn't the sole answer to Allegany County's economic issues. It is, however, part of the solution.