UNC should reverse its decision to close Horace Williams Airport. 

Horace Williams Airport was closed in 2018 after a nearly 2 decades-long push to redevelop the land for commercial real estate. This plan made sense at the time to make a quick buck. 

Now, 2+ after its closing, the land is not developed, and a few things have changed: 

• The aviation industry is in a crisis, a shortage of workers threatens the recovery, and there is an unprecedented need to train more pilots. Horace Williams airport could make flight training more diverse, and more accessible. 
• Aircraft and pilots have become more essential, performing airlifts of PPE, vaccines, and people during times of crisis. Horace Williams Airport is essential for these services to Chapel Hill. 
• Aviation in North Carolina is a $61 Billion dollar industry, making 373,000 jobs. Reopening Horace Williams airport would bring jobs back to Chapel Hill after COVID.