WILLIAMSTOWN - The Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport Association Wednesday approved the use of more funds to extend the current marketing campaign.
Airport manager Terry Moore suggested the marketing arm of the airport to use $10,000 of a $15,000 state grant to continue the current marketing campaign, which recently started.
"The state called and advised to spend marketing money from a grant they gave us by the end of the fiscal year, June 30," Moore told the board.
This extra funding joins the $1,250 previously allotted for the spring advertising campaign to market the airport and its commercial service by Silver Airways to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
The airport authority will decide during its meeting May 1.
The airport is working with its longtime marketing partner Tom Crooks of Stonewall Marketing on the scaled-down campaign.
The campaign recently began with television ads, radio spots and newspaper ads, as well as a billboard on Grand Central Avenue.
"The billboard did not go up where we originally asked for it because of issues with Hicks sign company," Moore said.
Authority president Jeff McDougle said the only problem he sees with the placement of the sign closer to the residential area of Vienna near the former Pizza Hut building, is part of the billboard is hidden by buildings.
"The only advantage is the stop light near it to have people look at something, why not our sign," said board member Bob Stephens.
Moore also suggested and the board agreed to use the $2,500 left in the small community air service grant to pay current advertising bills in advance. This would pay for the television spots and billboard for the entirety of their contracts.
Board members also discussed increasing the airport's customer service through an information sign in the terminal to aid passengers who come in on late flights.
Cora Marshall, Washington County Commission representative on the authority, said she met two young men from out of town following a flight that arrived after 9:30 p.m. a couple of weeks ago.
"They had meant to come in on an earlier canceled flight and when they got here the airport was a ghost town," she said. "They were confused and had no idea where to go or what to do."
Marshall and her husband gave the men a ride to a hotel with plans to get a rental car in the morning, but suggested the airport do more for passengers.
"If we want repeat business, we need to provide better customer service," she said. "I was thankful I was here for those two young men."
Moore said there was a phone book in the terminal with taxi services flagged, but it quickly disappeared and apologized for the empty terminal after hours.
To aid those who need a ride after hours, the airport will be taking marketing funds to put up a sign listing taxi services from both Wood and Washington counties.
Hertz rental car in the terminal will man its book if they have a car on reserve for the late arrival, but not always, Moore added.
