January Note from the VABA

Dear VABA Members,

As we kick off 2025, I want to extend a warm thank you to our members, legislators, friends, and board for their unwavering support throughout the past year. Your dedication and collaboration have been essential to our success, and we deeply appreciate your commitment to advancing the aerospace industry in the Commonwealth.

Looking back on 2024, it was a year filled with meaningful achievements, impactful advocacy, and incredible growth for the VABA and its members. As we embark on a new year, we are energized by the opportunities ahead and are committed to continuing our work to strengthen and amplify the voice of the aerospace business community in Virginia.

DOAV’s Updated Economic Impact Study:

The Department of Aviation (DOAV) is updating its Economic Impact Study, which has been a cornerstone of past legislative successes for our industry. The data leveraged in previous studies has been instrumental in advancing policies that benefit aerospace businesses across Virginia.

To continue building on these successes, the DOAV needs our help. They’ve created and published two pre-recorded webinars for Airport Managers and Airport Business Tenants. Please watch these webinars to learn more about how to assist DOAV in gathering data for an updated study. By participating, you’ll help ensure that we can present an accurate and compelling narrative to lawmakers and stakeholders about aerospace’s vital role in the Commonwealth.

Legislative Priorities for 2025:

This year, our focus will be on several key initiatives as we prepare for the 2025 General Assembly session, which restarts in person on Monday, January 13. These priorities reflect our dedication to advancing policies that benefit the aerospace industry and ensuring that your voices are heard at the state level:

Virginia General Assembly and Aviation Parts and Supplies Tax Exemption: The exemption remains a critical priority for our industry, providing essential cost savings and fostering growth for aerospace businesses across Virginia. We will continue to advocate for its expansion and permanence to support the long-term success of our members.
Weekly Caucus Meetings: Our legislative caucus will meet every Thursday during the General Assembly session to discuss progress and ensure our priorities are effectively communicated to lawmakers. Your engagement is vital, and we look forward to collaborating during these sessions.
Legislative Reception: Mark your calendars for this year’s Legislative Reception, an opportunity to connect with key decision-makers, celebrate the aerospace industry’s achievements, and share our vision for the future. Stay tuned for more details—we can’t wait to see you there!

Weekly Caucus Meetings

Our weekly caucus meetings began on Thursday, January 16, 2025, after being delayed a week due to the water issue in Richmond. The first session was well attended, with updates from Bud Oakey of the VABA, Greg Campbell of the Virginia Department of Aviation, Dr. John Downey of Blue Ridge Community College, and Michael Cooper of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. These meetings are critically important for ensuring lawmakers understand the vital role aerospace plays in Virginia’s economy and its future. They also serve as a key platform for advancing VABA's legislative priorities. You can access the presentations and materials on our website.

We strongly encourage participation from our members, as your insights and updates are invaluable to these discussions. If you have any questions or would like more details, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Becky.

Legislative Reception

Mark your calendars for our Legislative Reception, taking place on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. This event is an opportunity to connect with legislators and showcase the significant impact of the aviation and aerospace industry in the Commonwealth. Attendees will include a diverse roster of companies, industry leaders, aviation enthusiasts, policymakers, and Virginia's Governor —all gathered to celebrate our industry and its contributions to Virginia’s economy. We look forward to seeing many of you there for an evening of collaboration and shared vision for the future.

Closing

As we look to the year ahead, we remain steadfast in our dedication to advancing the aviation business community in the Commonwealth. Your continued engagement and support are the driving forces behind our success.

We invite you to collaborate with us, participate in advocacy efforts, and help make 2025 another landmark year for VABA. Together, we can continue to elevate the aerospace industry and its impact in Virginia.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. We’re excited to soar to new heights with you this year!

Warm regards,

Jim Hopkins

Chairman of the VABA

Thank you to our 2025 Legislative Reception Sponsors!

*Sponsors as of 01/17/2025

Interesting in sponsoring the reception? Click HERE to view sponsorship information or email Becky Hall.

Mark Your Calendars

Aviation Parts and Supplies Study Highlights Virginia's Competitiveness

The VABA will release its latest report on the Aviation Parts and Supplies Tax Exemption, demonstrating the program’s positive impact on the state’s aviation industry. Since its 2018 enactment, this tax exemption has significantly bolstered Virginia's competitiveness, attracting out-of-state maintenance business and fostering economic growth.

Key findings from the study include:

A 9.35% annual growth in the aviation maintenance sector from 2018 through 2023, even during the challenges presented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
$25 million in maintenance and repair spending reported by survey respondents over five years, with actual economic impact estimated at over $214 million when including all operators.
Increased business for 82% of maintenance facilities surveyed, with 63% expanding service offerings and 63% drawing out-of-state customers.

This tax exemption not only supports traditional aviation sectors but also positions Virginia as a leader in emerging industries like drones and advanced air mobility. However, the report emphasizes the importance of addressing the sunset provision set for June 30, 2025, which poses a risk to these achievements. Expanding the exemption to include smaller aircraft (≤ 2,400 lbs. gross takeoff weight) is recommended to sustain and grow the industry's benefits.

The full report will be made publicly available after its presentation to the Virginia General Assembly's Aviation and Aerospace Caucus. Stay tuned for detailed insights and future policy recommendations.

Board Member, Joe Oyler, Appointed to Governor Youngkin's Aerospace Advisory Council.

Congratulations to Board Member, Joe Oyler, on his recent appointment to Governor Glenn Youngkin's Aerospace Advisory Council.

Joseph H. Oyler IV of Stafford, Virginia is currently the Senior Manager for State & Local Government Operations at The Boeing Company and joined the the VABA Board in 2024.

Oyler's extensive background in aviation and aerospace positions him uniquely to advocate effectively for the industry's interests in policy discussions.

Read the full list of appointees HERE.

Celebrating Virginia's Aviation Legacy: Explore Opportunities with VSGC!

The Virginia Space Grant Consortium celebrates a successful 2024 and is looking forward to an exciting new year! Exciting opportunities await at VSGC 2025! This summer, Virginia community college students can participate in the STEM Takes Flight program. Students can apply for paid, hands-on research experiences at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton and NASA Wallops Flight Facility on the Eastern Shore. Applications are due January 6th. Click HERE for the application.

Visit vsgc.odu.edu for more FREE aviation and aerospace opportunities!

Help Needed to Update DOAV's Economic Impact Study

Have you or your business used the 2018 Virginia Airport System Economic Impact Study?

Well, it's time to update those numbers, and the Virginia Department of Aviation needs your help!

Earlier this month, the Virginia Department of Aviation completed the Airport Business Tenant Webinar. This event aimed to provide valuable information to all on-airport business tenants in preparation for the economic impact study’s data collection process. A recording of the presentation is available on the project website.

Thank you to all who attended and participated!

Winchester Regional Airport Announces Public Art Program with ShenARTS

Winchester, VA – January 9, 2025: The Winchester Regional Airport Authority is proud to announce a public art program in collaboration with the Shenandoah Arts Council, Inc. (d/b/a "ShenArts"). The new program will allow local artists the opportunity to showcase their work in the new airport terminal over a three-year period. Art displays will be managed entirely by ShenArts and rotate every 4-6 weeks. Artwork will also be available for sale by scanning a QR code and remitting payment directly to ShenArts.