Corrigan charts course to transform Craig Field into regional aviation hub

When Col. Ryan Corrigan stepped into the role of executive director of the Craig Airport and Industrial Authority in August, he inherited more than a job. 

He inherited a long-term vision crafted by his predecessor and father, Jim Corrigan, and a sprawling industrial asset he believes is poised for regional transformation.

After several months on the job, Corrigan says the mission remains the same, but the strategy is evolving.

“My predecessor had a long-term vision for this place to utilize the assets that this area has,” Corrigan said, adding he looked for cracks in the plan but found the vision was sound. “So my job is now to come in and continue to carry that vision forward.”

Corrigan, a retired Air Force fighter pilot, describes his approach as both strategic and aggressive, focused on targeted outreach, national marketing and leveraging Craig’s unique infrastructure. With an 8,000-foot runway, river and rail access and hundreds of acres of industrial property, he believes Craig Field can attract major aviation, aerospace and inter-modal companies.

“We have to surgically target industry,” he said. “Why cast a net only locally when we can cast it regionally or nationally?”

One of Corrigan’s first major initiatives was a complete rebranding and digital overhaul. Craig Field now has a redesigned website, a new logo and a coordinated marketing strategy aimed at industry decision makers.

“Most people are paying attention to digital platforms,” he said. “If we continue to operate under word of mouth and classified ads, we are missing 96 percent of our audience.”

The new website includes facility details, tenant links and email alerts for business opportunities. Corrigan said the goal is to make Craig Field instantly understandable to companies evaluating potential sites.

“You have 40 seconds to make a digital impression,” he said. “If they can’t find what they need in 40 seconds, they hit the X.”

Corrigan confirmed that multiple companies are in active discussions with Craig Field, including one seeking 10 acres with access to the abandoned runway for a training facility. This company has plans to potentially expand to 160 acres.

“These folks have the money. They’re ready to spend it,” he said.

Another tenant is preparing a major expansion due to rapid business growth, and a new company is signing a lease to use undeveloped property with rail access. That operation alone is expected to add 60 to 70 rail carloads per year.

“These are all wins,” Corrigan said. “One company is bringing in five to seven jobs right now, and another wants to train 10 to 15 people a year.”

Corrigan said Craig Field already offers pathways into high-paying aviation careers, something he says many local residents don’t realize.

“You can get your air traffic controller certification right here in Selma,” he said. “You can become a commercial pilot. You can become an FAA certified mechanic. These are high-paying, long-term career options.”

He believes exposing young people to aviation early is key. “You want to hook somebody in an aviation career? Get them to look up at an airplane flying over when they’re in third grade.”

Craig Field and Wallace Community College will host an Aviation Day on April 30, bringing roughly 500 students and more than 30 aircraft to the airfield.

“That is a lot of airplanes parking on our ramp,” Corrigan said. “We want to show students exactly what their career options are.”

Though not open to the general public, residents will likely see aircraft flying overhead, including a P-51 Mustang and a formation team of RV-10s.

Corrigan is also laying groundwork for a Greater Alabama Fly-In this October, with an even larger goal on the horizon.

“The ultimate endgame would be October of 2027 or 2028 to put on the Greater Alabama Air Show,” he said.

Craig Field is in the middle of a major runway resurfacing project, upgrading the full 8,000-foot runway rather than the cheaper and easier 5,000-foot partial resurfacing.

“That 8,000-foot runway allows me to land 767 type aircraft,” Corrigan said. “Why take the instant gratification win when we can preserve the asset for Selma, Dallas County and Craig?”

Beautification is also a priority. Corrigan is clearing blighted structures, improving green space, and focusing on the Highway 80 corridor, the first impression for visitors entering Selma.

“If we look like garbage on the outside, that’s the mentality people will have,” he said. “I worked on our digital doorstep. Now I want to work on our physical doorstep.”

Corrigan speaks daily with Dallas County Economic Development Director Brenda Tuck and says collaboration with Mayor Johnny “Skip” Moss and Dallas County Commission Chairman Jimmy Nunn is strong.

“We are all on the same page,” he said. Instead of each working separately, “If we overlap our footprint and make the pie bigger, we all have more crumbs.”

Corrigan says he spends much of his time on the road, attending conferences and pitching Craig Field to major aerospace companies.

“If you don’t shoot for large organizations, you don’t get them. All they can do is say no,” he said. “I am working as hard as I can. I love this place. It’s my hometown.”