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Hartford Brainard Airport Association
Hartford Brainard Airport Association is a grassroots, volunteer, non-profit organization that was established in January 2022 by a group of citizens who were concerned about the possible closure of Hartford Brainard Airport. The board membership is comprised of pilots and businessmen and women who have strong connections to the general aviation community and to Hartford Brainard Airport. The organization was incorporated by the State of Connecticut on January 28, 2002, as a 501 (C)(6) ￼ nonprofit organization. The organization has no specific political affiliation and is nonpartisan in governmental affairs. The primary mission of the organization is to support the growth and development of all aspects of general aviation and specifically to effect legislation that would seek to close Hartford Brainard Airport. ￼ The organization is involved in promoting and spreading both general and detailed information about the world of general aviation to the greater Hartford community, promoting the economic benefits of a general aviation airport to the greater Hartford community in general and to state legislators specifically. A primary focus of HBAA activity is to promote aviation education in pilot and aero technician training and HBAA works closely with the three flight schools on the airport property.

MISSION STATEMENT: HARTFORD BRAINARD AIRPORT ASSOCIATION, INC. (HBAA)

 * HBAA is a grass-roots organization of general aviation, private and commercial pilots, business leaders and others dedicated to preserving the airport as a valuable community asset and vital economic resource that supports Connecticut’s economy and provides significant benefits to the capital city and region.
 * HBAA works to promote the educational opportunities that already exist at Brainard, encouraging city and regional residents to pursue careers in the fields of aviation and aircraft maintenance.
 * HBAA supports all general aviation activities and recognizes its critical importance in stimulating growth and vitality of our community.

History of Organization
In late 2022, the Hartford City Council passed a resolution to explore the idea of closing Brainard Airport and redeveloping the area. City council members wanted to determine whether the land could be repurposed into a more tax revenue positive property to help the city of Hartford financially. The city council launched a new SMART taskforce ( S outh M eadows A rea R edevelopment T askforce), spearheaded by Hartford city councilman James Sanchez. Proposed ideas at the time were to convert the property to a multiuse development of commercial and residential real estate alone with a marina at the bank of the Connecticut River to provide for more park and recreation space for the city of Hartford residents.

In response to this concerning proposal, a group of pilots, aircraft owners and aviation business owners based at Brainard airport met to organize a grassroots response to this proposal. A Board of Directors was chosen, and a mission statement was drafted. The Hartford Brainard Airport Association was formally incorporated as a non-profit organization on January 28, 2022. Because the organization's efforts were directed at potential legislation initiatives that could be generated as a result of the city's recommendations, HBAA hired the lobbying firm of Evans & Associates to consult and direct HBAA's efforts in the best possible direction. Because of its relationship with professional lobbyists, HBAA was formally incorporated as a 501(C) (6) corporation, the IRS tax designation for non-profit organizations that work to affect legislation.

On January 22, 2022, HBAA published the first of its newsletters to be distributed to the general public and state legislators. Since its first, it has published monthly to bimonthly, continuing to inform the Hartford public of Brainard activity. Eight newsletters were distributed in 2022 and by September of 2023, seven have been published and distributed, with more expected by the end of 2023.

During the Connecticut General Assembly 2022 session, a Raised Bill # 463 was introduced by State Senator John Fonfara. Mr. Fonfara was co-chairman of the state of Connecticut's Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding and has long been a vocal opponent of the Brainard Airport. Several members of the HBAA Board gave formal testimony in support of Brainard Airport on March 31, 2022. Of the 92 people who testified at that committee hearing, only 15 spoke in favor of repurposing Brainard Airport for another use. HBAA Board members Arnold Goldman, Craig Raabe, Art Utay, Elizabeth Townsend, Michael Teiger and Barbara Rowley spoke on behalf of the organization to keep the airport open and allowed to thrive. Hartford city residents, aviation students and flight instructors, aircraft business owners, and concerned citizens were vocal about wanting to see Brainard stay open and grow to its fullest potential.

In the spring, summer and fall months of both 2022 and 2023, when the Connecticut General Assembly was not in session, HBAA conducted numerous tours of the Brainard facility. Many state and city officials and legislators attended these tours, during which time they were able to view the facility up close and personal. Aside from an introductory PowerPoint presentation by President Michael Teiger, the doors were open to tour the 3 flight schools, businesses and aircraft hangars.

HBAA members have been interviewed by local news media outlets often to express their opinions regarding airport operations. Because of extensive local news coverage, many national aviation news outlets made deep inquiries into the plight of the airport and several national news articles were published during 2022 and 2023. National publications like Flying Magazine, The Aviation Consumer, General Aviation News and AOPA News & Media have large national aviation audiences. As a result, national pilot communities have learned that Brainard is one of several smaller general aviation airports under threat of closure. The causes of concern usually center on land developer's interests in repurposing the airport property for other non-aviation economic benefit.

as well as appeared on Connecticut Public Access television, WTIC Radio and many other venues.