TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Executive Director of the Terre Haute Regional Airport announced his plans to retire this week.

Jeff Hauser says he plans to retire by the end of the year. He says his reason for announcing the move so early is so that the Airport Board has time to search for a new director.

Hauser reflected on his time in the position saying almost every building at the airport has been rehabilitated during his time in the role, and take-offs and landings have increased almost every year. Hauser says the economic impact of the airport was discussed recently during a state of the airport event.

“Most people don’t realize that it generates, the economic impact, of about $247 million or a little over that each year,” Hauser said.

The director says now that the city has the Terre Haute Convention Center downtown and a casino and resort coming to the east side, he expects good things for the future of the airport.

“I hope to leave it in good shape for whoever takes over, but I see nothing but growth in the future and again, that’s just related to Terre Haute in general. They’ve done so much downtown and the eastside, now, the way that it’s growing and I don’t think it’s going to slow down, so that’s only going to help the airport,” Hauser said.

Hauser says he plans to spend his retirement with his family, and wants to do more traveling, but added he plans to remain in the area.