IRVINE, CA -- December 14, 1999 -- The first ever scientific survey of Orange County business leaders finds 59% of the chief executives opposed to a commercial airport at El Toro, with only 35% in support of the airport.  Two-thirds of the business leaders surveyed support turning the base into a Great Park.

“Promoters of an international airport at El Toro have often stated that the number one reason for building the airport is to help business create jobs and economic growth.  We have suspected for years that the airport promoters and the County government have been misrepresenting the views of the business community on this issue – and this poll proves it,” said Irvine Mayor Christina Shea, a leading opponent of El Toro Airport.

The City of Irvine commissioned the survey of 300 CEOs, owners and senior executives at Orange County’s leading companies.  These companies were chosen at random from a list of 2,757 Orange County companies with sales or revenues in excess of five million dollars annually.  These business leaders were asked an in-depth series of questions about a number of issues relating to our economy, job creation efforts and business climate – including the re-use of El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

The survey was conducted during the months of October and November by the nationally recognized public opinion research firm of Penn, Schoen and Berland (PSB) who are best known as the principal pollsters and public opinion consultants to the President of the United States.  PSB also provide public opinion research and strategic advice to many Fortune 500 companies including AT&T, GTE, Proctor and Gamble, Coca Cola, Hilton Hotels, Microsoft, McDonald’s and Texaco.

Key findings of the survey include:
 

•  In an open-ended question, 30% of business leaders say that the biggest challenge facing businesses and business leaders is work force recruitment, training and retention.  Another 22% say that traffic, freeways and other ground transportation problems are the biggest challenge.  El Toro Airport ranks 14th on the list of 16 concerns.  It was mentioned by only 3% of respondents.

•  In response to the open ended question “What changes would help business expand”, “lower taxes” and “availability of quality employees” topped the list of nine changes most often mentioned by business leaders.  “An international airport at El Toro” ranked near the bottom and was mentioned by only 4% of respondents.

• Traffic flow and freeway congestion is the single transportation issue that most concerns business leaders (63%), followed by availability of mass transit (20%).  Only 12% listed lack of proximity to a major airport as a concern.  2% listed lack of proximity to a freight hub.

• Business leaders think that needed airport capacity in this region can be met in other ways and that a commercial airport at El Toro is not necessary.  Even when considering regional projections that the number of air travelers may double by 2020, only 36% consider an international airport at El Toro to be essential while 56% of Orange County business leaders support expansion and full utilization of existing airports – LAX, John Wayne and Ontario – to meet future demand.  Similarly, 34% of business leaders say that an international airport at El Toro is needed for an air cargo facility while 57% say that LAX, John Wayne, Ontario and other airports can handle Orange County’s air cargo needs.

•  By a margin of 58% to 38%, business leaders believe that even if El Toro is built, LAX will continue to be the airport of choice for international and intercontinental travelers because it will offer more options in terms of cost, carriers and flight times.

• 64% of business leaders believe that “an international airport at El Toro will hurt residential and business property values in Irvine and surrounding communities …”

•  Fully 66% of Orange County business leaders say that El Toro should be transformed into a Great Park, offering cultural, recreational, and technological resources.  About three in five (59%) say that Orange County’s quality of life and ability to attract a talented work force would be harmed if an airport were built there.

 “The results of this survey confirm what many executives are saying privately,” said Mike Cornelius, Vice President and General Counsel of Western Digital.  “There is a growing concern in the business community that an international airport at El Toro would hurt rather than help Orange County companies.”

"The views of Orange County business leaders are very much in tune with current national trends," said pollster Douglas Schoen. "We know from studies we have conducted in other parts of the country what tremendous competition there is today among companies for highly educated and trained employees, especially in high-tech. Orange County is wonderfully positioned to keep and attract a talented work force because of its great climate and lifestyle amenities - indeed those are among the country's
biggest assets according to the business leaders we surveyed.  Building an international airport at El Toro threatens the quality of life according to most Orange County business leaders. They do not want to squander the greatest advantage that the County enjoys in the marketplace for a highly trained and talented work force."

Mission Viejo City Councilwoman Susan Withrow, Chair of the El Toro Reuse Planning Authority, said: “A non-aviation use of El Toro which includes one of America’s greatest parks will help Orange County businesses attract and keep quality employees.  That is the key to our future prosperity.”

Click here for more survey data.