During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the potential economic benefits of enhancing local airport facilities to attract new businesses. One participant emphasized the airport's unique advantage, noting that many regions lack such infrastructure, which could hinder growth and development opportunities.

A significant point of discussion centered around a past proposal from a helicopter company based in Oregon, specializing in equipping helicopters with firefighting equipment. The company expressed interest in relocating to the area but cited Washington state's business taxes as a major barrier. They proposed that if they could receive tax incentives similar to those granted to Boeing, they would consider moving, potentially bringing 70 full-time jobs with salaries exceeding $70,000.

The conversation also highlighted previous lobbying efforts aimed at changing state legislation to include rotary wing aircraft in tax incentives, which were initially limited to fixed wing aircraft. However, these efforts faced resistance from key legislative figures, particularly from the district housing Boeing's manufacturing facility, ultimately resulting in the loss of the helicopter company to Oregon.

The meeting underscored the importance of proactive measures in local governance to foster a business-friendly environment, particularly in light of missed opportunities that could have significantly boosted the local economy.