McKinney Needs Smart Investments, Not Speculative Spending

Introduction: To Everything, There Is a Season

There is a time to invest in an airport—and a time to prioritize fiscal responsibility. What is already done is done. We cannot undo the current investment into the McKinney National Airport (TKI), but we need to stop all further expansions.

We are heading into an economic storm. The national debt is skyrocketing, inflation persists, and economic cycles signal financial turbulence ahead. In times like these, McKinney must focus on essential infrastructure, core city services, and sound financial management—not speculative airport expansion.

I do not claim to know the future, but I can analyze data. The FY2023 Economic Impact Study of McKinney National Airport (TKI) presents an overly optimistic picture, using inflated multipliers, exaggerated visitor spending, and speculative job estimates to justify further investment. While TKI provides value, McKinney taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize expansion, especially when economic uncertainty looms.

The Real Economic Contributions of McKinney National Airport

Some aspects of the economic impact study present useful data:

✔ Real Jobs and Wages – 420 direct jobs at TKI generating $43 million in wages. Cirrus Aircraft’s 65 jobs (expected to grow to 90) provide tangible economic value.

✔ Verified Air Traffic Growth – Over 150,000 aircraft movements in 2023, a 15% increase since 2017. Growth in private and charter flights aligns with industry trends.

✔ Capital Improvements Have Some Justification – $19.2 million in recent infrastructure investments support aviation businesses and emergency services.

These are real impacts, and TKI should continue operating as a business aviation hub—but they do not justify further expansion based on speculative models.

The Overstated & Misleading Claims of the Economic Impact Study

❌ Exaggerated Job Claims – The study claims 1,560 jobs are "supported" by TKI, using economic multipliers instead of actual payroll data. Many of these jobs exist only in models, not reality.

❌ Inflated Visitor Spending Estimates – The study suggests TKI visitors spent $21.7 million locally, supporting 410 hospitality and retail jobs. However, TKI primarily serves corporate travelers, not tourists, making this estimate highly questionable. McKinney is not a tourism hub, and the study fails to distinguish between visitors staying in McKinney versus Dallas or Plano.

❌ Misleading Capital Investment Projections – The claim that future capital investments will create 640 annual jobs from 2024-2028 ignores the fact that these are temporary construction jobs, not long-term economic gains. The study does not analyze the long-term return on these taxpayer-funded improvements.

Why Now Is Not the Time for Speculative Spending

🔴 Economic Instability Is Growing – Inflation remains high, national debt is unsustainable, and recession risks are increasing. A downturn could hit McKinney residents hard—this is not the time for risky financial bets.

🔴 Home Values Are Declining – McKinney’s property tax base is at risk of shrinking. With home values peaking and now decreasing, we must brace for potential revenue declines—not commit to costly projects with unclear benefits.

🔴 Critical Infrastructure Needs Come First – Instead of prioritizing an airport expansion that serves corporate travelers, we should focus on:

✅ Roads and highways – McKinney’s rapid growth requires better transportation infrastructure.

✅ Water and power reliability – The Texas grid nearly failed in 2021, putting lives at risk. We must invest in energy resilience.

✅ Public safety and emergency services – The safety of McKinney residents must come before speculative projects.

✅ Business development that benefits all residents – We should encourage small business growth and job creation for McKinney families.

A Smarter Approach for McKinney’s Future

✅ Focus on Projects That Matter – No additional taxpayer dollars should be spent unless clear, immediate benefits exist. Economic impact studies should use real-world data—not speculative models.

✅ Invest in Infrastructure That Benefits Everyone – Roads, public safety, and economic development should take priority. The airport can continue operating without further city-funded expansion.

✅ Protect Taxpayer Dollars from Risky Spending – McKinney must prioritize financial stability over speculative growth. The city budget should reflect economic security, not inflated projections.

✅ Promote Balanced, Responsible Growth – While TKI is an asset, it is not the city’s economic future. We must invest where it matters most.

Conclusion: Smart Growth, Not Speculative Spending

McKinney needs a mayor who understands fiscal responsibility and strategic investment. While McKinney National Airport plays a role in our economy, its expansion should not be a priority during economic uncertainty.

We must protect taxpayer dollars, strengthen essential infrastructure, and prepare for financial challenges ahead.

👉 McKinney’s future depends on smart investments—not speculative spending.

Vote for fiscal responsibility. Vote for strategic infrastructure. Vote for McKinney’s future.

Taylor Willingham for Mayor.