Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation Carries Out Strategic Planning Session

Supplied Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario – During a recent strategy session held on December 12th 2015, the Board of Directors and Management Staff of the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation (SSMADC) carried out a strategic planning exercise covering areas of operating/capital expenditures, investment and business development opportunities within the next five years. The board was assisted by Jody Rebek DiCerbo, VIVE (Management Consulting and Events).

The strategy session took an opportunity to focus on some of the successes achieved since the last strategy session held in November 2014.  These successes included the achievement of a passenger level goal that the Corporation had held for a number of years of attaining 200,000 passengers in a 12 month period, this was attained in November 2015 when passenger levels reached 200,709.  Other successes scene in the past year included the attraction of a new restaurant operator, Morningstar Café, which provides for new daily service 5:30 am to 8:00 pm and the soon to be returning alcohol sales.  The Corporation was also successful in securing NOHFC funding for a terminal expansion project that is currently underway at a cost of two million dollars.  Additions to the parking system have also been implemented to provide for faster processing of passengers with an additional pay station in the terminal, and additional exit lane in short term parking; and additional parking spaces in long term parking to meet the needs of the additional passengers.  2015 also saw the airport complete a brand new website www.saultaiport.com along with a facebook page and twitter account, that allow for interaction and feedback with our customers.

This past year has scene a further capital investment into the safety and security of the airport of over $1.8 million, with government funding assistance bringing the total investment for the year to over $2.8 million including the terminal expansion.  This brings the SSMADC investment into capital upgrades at the Sault Ste. Marie Airport since taking ownership on March 28, 1998 to a total of over $31,400,000.

The retreat provided an opportunity for the board to review these accomplishments and explore ways to further enhance the airport’s ability in meeting its challenges. The airport contributed $39.3 million in GDP and 430 full time equivalent employment to the local economy in 2013.  With the continued success of JD Aero Technical these numbers have likely increased significantly in 2015.  However, the Board was very aware of the current economic climate in Sault Ste. Marie and Canada and was conscious of the economic times while planning for the upcoming year.

“The strategy session provided an excellent opportunity to review the strategic plan created in 2014 based on recommendations that had been included in the 2014 Business and Land Use Master Plan that will guide the SSMADC for the next 20 years with the main focus on the next 5 to 10 years, the plan identified areas of strength and areas that can be strategically enhanced, along with areas that need improvement.  The strategy session updated the concepts from the business plan, and the previous year’s strategic plan and both documents were used to set in place the tools to implement an achievable strategic plan for continued success. The Corporation aims to be the best regional airport in the country and is committed to working closely with the community, employees, and tenant family focused on customer satisfaction and being mindful of the needs of Sault Ste. Marie and area residents, especially in lieu of the tough economic times being scene currently” said Airport President and CEO Terry Bos.