By Akos Kovach
Remember the theme from the first “Rocky” movie? It was a contemporary orchestral compilation — with lots of horns — escalating excitement, building to a crescendo with piano and voice leading the charge “to the top.”
That music, written by Bill Conti, “branded” the movie and left an indelible memory of Rocky Balboa jogging through the streets and eventually climbing 70-plus stairs leading to the entry of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
These Arizona members of Congress sent a letter in support of using an Arizona facility for training for UAS.
The SEAGO Region has faced incredible challenges lately, both internal and external problems, an economic meltdown, population losses — the list is lengthy.
But as we learn the many Rules of Life, the number of times you are knocked downdoes not matter; what does matter is how quickly and how often you pick yourself up.
Just as in the first Rocky movie, we are at a crossroad. Should we continue doing the same old things the same old way and hope for a new result?
While Rocky did “go back to the basics,” he also listened to good advice and educated himself, putting mistakes and bad choices behind him.
With the help of others, Rocky faced his problems and shortcomings, and with hard work and determination he conquered his “circumstance” and rose “to the top.”
Our demons have taken the form of unemployment, increasing poverty and decreasing population. Tourism and bed tax dollars have dwindled. Road repair dollars, CDBG and Housing programs have been severely cut.
But opportunity is knocking at the door. As Albert Einstein once wrote, “There are two ways to live: You can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.”
Case in Point: HR 1540 — legislation signed into Law as the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA mandates that the FAA integrate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS).
To accomplish this mission, the FAA must select 6 national test ranges to gather data and work through the safety issues of flying remotely piloted aircraft alongside piloted aircraft.
It must use criteria such as the size and availability of non-exclusionary airspace, proximity to restricted airspace, military operating areas, border patrol operations, other airspace uses like general aviation activity, weather for continuous testing, VFR operations, geography, elevation and climate.
Benson airport scores No. 1
Whose airport came out No. 1? Benson, Arizona!
What does this mean? Job creation and capital infusion. Hundreds of new high quality, high-salaried jobs primary jobs plus hundreds of support jobs.
This includes the multitude of private contractors who will need to locate nearby in order to facilitate testing of Next Gen radar, air traffic control panels, training pilots and testing.
You can help. The Arizona Commerce Authority is gathering letters of support. Every city and town, each county, councils of government, etc. can add their voice to the chorus.
We support new job creation, we support the selection of the Benson Municipal Airport as one of the six FAA national test ranges. (Click here to see the letter from members of Congress to use as a guide from sending your own.)
Just as Rocky determined to reshape his future, the SEAGO Region can now reshape our future. Act now, you have it in your hands to reshape and diversify our economy for generations to come.
Questions? Want to learn more? Contact the SEAGO Economic Planner.
