Intel Corporation is not investing in the development of Memorial Airport and has

no plans to use the airport.

 

Intel Corporation has been aware of the potential development of all three

airports in the vicinity of our Arizona facilities (Memorial Airport, Chandler

Airport and Stellar Airpark). In fact, Chandler Airport and Stellar Airpark have

undergone significant growth in the past twenty years. Aircraft operations from

those airports have not had a negative impact on our operations.

 

Memorial Airport has been in existence since 1942. For many years, Gila River

officials have publicly stated that the airport will remain at its current

location. Intel was aware of the airport and the potential for its development

when the decision was made to purchase the 720 acres in Ocotillo to build our

advanced chip manufacturing facilities. We have not experienced any negative

impacts on our manufacturing operations as a result of aircraft operations from

Memorial Airport and we do not anticipate any negative impacts in the future

should the airport be developed in accordance with the proposed master plan.

 

During the past two years, the Gila River Indian Community has updated the

airport master plan with input from a highly respected airport consulting firm,

Coffman Associates, and a Planning Advisory Committee made up of major

stakeholders including representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration,

the AZ Department of Transportation, Maricopa County and Sun Lakes. Intel was

represented at the meetings.

 

When adopted by the Gila River Tribal Council, the Memorial Airport master plan,

proposed by the consultant and the Planning Advisory Committee, will relocate

the main runway further north and rotate it 11 degrees clockwise to minimize over

flights of Sun Lakes and will close the crosswind runway. In addition, the

proposed plan calls for establishing airport traffic patterns to the west of the

airport over Interstate 10 to minimize over flights of residential communities and

businesses.

 

Clearly, the Gila River Indian Community has the right to develop Memorial

Airport just as the cities of Phoenix, Chandler, Scottsdale, and Mesa have the right

to develop their airports. However, we continue to encourage Gila River to meet

with groups that are concerned about the potential development of Memorial

Airport and to address any issues and concerns just as the cities mentioned above

do.

 

Again, Intel Corporation is not investing in the development of Memorial Airport

and has no plans to use the airport.

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