South Valley Regional Airport

My position on the airport in West Jordan is actually pretty simple.

The airport has both benefits and impacts. Concerns about safety and air pollution are legitimate and deserve to be taken seriously. At the same time, the airport is owned and operated by Salt Lake City, and West Jordan has extremely limited say over its operations or long-term future. That reality shapes how I think about the issue.

For as long as the airport is here, I believe we should be actively engaged in conversations about its future and its impact on our community. We may not control the airport, but we do have a responsibility to represent our residents and make sure our voice is part of the discussion.

I also believe that if the airport is going to remain a long-term part of our city, West Jordan residents should receive the greatest possible benefit from having it here.

That means pursuing economic opportunities, encouraging appropriate development of surrounding property, supporting quality jobs, and making sure the airport contributes as much value as possible to the community. Every dollar generated through direct and indirect economic activity and sales tax is a dollar that doesn’t have to come directly from homeowners to support city services.

At the same time, we should continue asking questions, monitoring impacts, and advocating for responsible operations. Those goals are not mutually exclusive.

Some people view the conversation as a choice between supporting the airport and opposing the airport. I don’t think it’s that simple.

The airport was here long before any of the homes and businesses that now surround it, and Salt Lake City continues to invest in its future. Given that reality, my focus is on making sure West Jordan residents receive the greatest possible benefit while continuing to address legitimate concerns about its impacts.

That’s been my position for years, and it remains my position today.