Welcome to the October issue of the Metropolitan Airport News. This month’s feature brings you the programs available to the airport community and the businesses that support it. A lot goes into being an airport worker, a supporting airport business, and a supply vendor. Community outreach makes sense from both a good neighbor, civic, and financial standpoint for all stakeholders. As I read the feature and learned about all the extraordinary work performed by the Redevelopment Outreach offices at JFK, LGA, and EWR, I was reminded about the original organizations that served the airport community and beyond for over 50 years.
There was the Air Services Development Office (ASDO), which was administered by the Aviation Development Council (ADC). The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) and the airlines sponsored ADC. ASDO was the matchmaker between the airport, airlines, tenants, and the suppliers of goods and services from out into the community. ADC had a significant presence in the areas surrounding the airports, providing residents and businesses training, education, community engagement, youth programs, employment opportunities, workforce readiness, and more. Both organizations were staffed with true community leaders who loved the airport and were heavily involved with connecting people and giving back. As those programs ended after 50+ years in 2021, the new programs began, representing the future of PANYNJ and the airport redevelopment projects.
Opportunities are all around us, personally and professionally; you have to be engaged in your community to learn what is available. Our airports have organizations and programs for everyone to participate in, depending on your interests and goals. There are many ways to take charge of your career and propel yourself forward. I hope that this issue of Metropolitan Airport News provides you with a few ideas on how to be part of the airport community and take advantage of all the available resources.
I hope to see you at one of the upcoming events that are going on this month. Check with our online calendar, the most up-to-date airport community event resource available, and please feel free to submit your events to be included. As soon as we know, you’ll know!
