Baker Avionics seeks $300K for facility expansion at Grants Pass Airport

On May 20, 2025, Josephine County officials convened for an Administration Workshop, where key discussions centered around community justice vehicle branding exemptions and a significant economic development proposal from Baker Avionics, a local business at the Grants Pass Airport.

The meeting began with a motion to grant community justice vehicles an exemption from mandatory branding. This decision, supported unanimously by the commissioners, aims to enhance public safety by allowing these vehicles to operate without identifiable markings, which could potentially compromise their effectiveness in community engagement and law enforcement activities.

Following this, the focus shifted to Baker Avionics, represented by Leah and Greg Baker. They presented a comprehensive proposal seeking $300,000 in funding to support the construction of a new hangar and office space at the airport. The Bakers emphasized their business's role in the local economy, noting that 80% of their clientele comes from outside the area, injecting trade dollars into the community. They highlighted their commitment to workforce development, mentioning a training program that has already helped six employees obtain their aircraft mechanics licenses since the company's inception in 2019.

The proposed expansion is projected to create high-wage technical jobs and stimulate local economic growth by increasing demand for services such as lodging, dining, and entertainment for visiting clients. The Bakers outlined the need for improved infrastructure at the airport, which currently lacks essential utilities and access roads, making it challenging to operate efficiently.

In their presentation, they detailed the economic multiplier effect of aviation jobs, suggesting that each direct job could support an additional 2.5 to 3 jobs in the surrounding community. This could lead to the creation of 4 to 6 permanent jobs at Baker Avionics, indirectly supporting up to 18 additional jobs in sectors like retail and housing.

The meeting concluded with a strong endorsement of the proposal's alignment with Josephine County's economic development goals, emphasizing the potential for long-term prosperity and job creation. The commissioners expressed their support for the initiative, recognizing its importance in fostering a robust local economy and enhancing the region's aviation capabilities.