New Signs Show Marion Co. Regional Airport as South Shore Asset
December 2006

South Shore Board Members View New Airport Signs South Shore Foundation Board Members Judy Loving and John Dyess view the new signs at the Marion County Regional Airport that welcome visitors to the area, which is also known as the "South Shore," indicating communities along Bull Shoals Lake’s south shore. The signs recognize the airport as an asset to the area.

"For many years, the Marion County Regional Airport has offered reliable air navigation services for private aircraft traveling to and from Marion County for business and tourism," said John Dyess, South Shore Foundation board member and Marion County Regional Airport Commission Chairman. "South Shore Foundation wished to recognize the airport’s value to the region as well as welcome business and tourism travelers to the South Shore area," he explained.

Marion County Regional Airport was one of the first recipients of a South Shore Foundation grant in 1997 ($10,000) to match a $100,000 grant from the Arkansas Dept. of Aeronautics to extend the airport runway. Open to the public, the Marion County Regional Airport is attended daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., averages 45 aircraft using the airport a day, with approximately 30 aircraft based there, and has a 5,000 x 75 foot runway. It is equipped with an Instrument Landing System.

Since 1997, communities along the south shore of Bull Shoals Lake and near the White River have been included in the term "South Shore." It is registered with a service mark - similar to a trademark - for nonprofit organizations. The area, often shown as South Shore - Bull Shoals Lake - Arkansas, stretches from Flippin in eastern Marion County to Omaha in western Boone County and into southern Missouri.

"South Shore is a marketing identity that ties together the area across the beautiful northern Arkansas Ozarks," said Jodie Elizabeth Jeffrey, chairman of South Shore Foundation, the charitable division of NATCO. NATCO developed a comprehensive Web site that is designated as the South Shore’s "electronic community" and hosts e-mail addresses of NATCO customers.

Among the continuing projects that carry the South Shore name are: the Annual Academic Scholarships for six graduating high school seniors, Mildred and Ray Sanders Memorial Scholarships at North Arkansas College, Endowed Scholarships at Arkansas State University Mountain Home, Soccer Association, Driving Tour Map and brochure (now online at www.southshore.com), the Marion County Adult Leadership program, Marion County Youth Leadership program, and Arkansas Scholars program in the Yellville-Summit, Flippin, and Bruno-Pyatt schools.

For additional information, contact the South Shore Foundation at 1-800-775-6682.