From left, Samantha LeClair, MVSB Business Development Officer, sits in the seat of a glider next to Ariana Roy, MVSB Business Development Officer, and Tom Ganse, Franconia Soaring Foundation President, at the Franconia Airport.
On a recent beautiful fall day, a large blue and yellow motorless glider sat at the edge of a runway. The peak foliage made for breathtaking views at the Franconia Airport in the heart of the White Mountains. Tom Ganse, Franconia Soaring Foundation President, and other volunteers assisted with flight checks.
Members of the Adaptive Sports Partners eagerly looked on as one of their participants took the passenger seat. A bright orange Cessna parked in front and a rope was hooked between them. With the glider in tow, the plane started its engine and picked up speed along the grass runway.
Everyone watched the silhouette of the planes against the clouds as they climbed to 3,000 feet above the airport. Then the glider released from the tow rope and the Cessna banked left, leaving the glider to float over the mountains for 15 minutes before gracefully touching down for a smooth landing.
Experiences like this are just an average day for the volunteers of the Franconia Soaring Foundation, a nonprofit organization that offers flights, training and educational opportunities using gliders and brings greater awareness to the joys and benefits of motorless flight. The organization was recently awarded tax credits from the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) to assist with the installation of a solar array and high efficiency heat pumps for its new 6,600-square-foot Training and Operations Center, which is under construction at the Franconia Airport.
Once complete, the building will include training space for students, pilots and visitors and will also be designated as a training facility for emergency personnel in surrounding communities. MVSB was proud to purchase $10,000 in tax credits to support this project.
“Our goal as an organization is to educate the public and students about motorless flight and to preserve the airport to keep the spirit of soaring alive,” said Tom. “We are able to continue gliding thanks to our wonderful community partners, like MVSB. Our public flights generally run May through October, and we hope everyone has a chance to stop by to view our new beautiful facility next year.”
“The Franconia Soaring Foundation and Franconia Airport are wonderful community assets, providing value to students, nonprofits, community organizations and the public across the state,” said Samantha LeClair, MVSB Business Development Officer. “Gliding is such a fun way to engage the local residents and visitors. We are proud to support this local gem.”
The Franconia Soaring Foundation was established in 2016. Go to soarfranconia.org to learn more.
CDFA tax credits allow businesses to fund qualifying economic or community development projects in exchange for a tax credit that can be applied against state business tax payments. The tax credits are administered by the New Hampshire CDFA. Any business with operations in New Hampshire that contributes to a CDFA tax credit project receives a New Hampshire state tax credit worth 75 percent of their contribution. The credit can be used over a period of five years to reduce the business’ state tax liability (business profits, business enterprise, or insurance premium taxes). The tax credit program allows New Hampshire businesses to use their state tax dollars to support local projects that they care about. CDFA reviews many project applications each year, and awards tax credits to those they determine are feasible and will make the biggest impact on economic development in the state. Visit nhcdfa.org for more information.