The FAA has officially accepted the preliminary application for Florida’s AirGlades Airport (2IS) to participate in the Airport Privatization Pilot Program.
Hendry County submitted its preliminary application Aug. 31. A Hendry County delegation visited FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C., Oct. 18, where they received formal notification of FAA’s acceptance of the preliminary application. Hendry County will now begin preparing the final application for approval by the FAA.
AirGlades Airport joins Chicago’s Midway Airport, Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans, Puerto Rico’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, and Briscoe Field in Gwinnett County, Georgia, in the FAA’s APPP program.
AirGlades Airport, a general aviation reliever airport, is located seven miles west of Clewiston, Florida. Since it ceased functioning as a military air base during World War II, AirGlades has not been a significant contributor to job creation or economic development, but the Hendry County Board of County Commissioners (HCBOCC) and the Hendry County Economic Development Council (HCEDC) are looking to change that.
After a year of planning, preparation, and in-depth study, the HCBOCC and HCEDC agree that this congressionally generated program will be the vehicle with which to deliver economic development and job creation, while enhancing aviation capacity in South Florida. Officials with the HCBOCC say they have determined that AirGlades Airport is a vital component to achieving new economic development opportunities for the county and remains steadfast that private sector development of the airport will unleash its full potential to become an economic engine for the county and the region.
“As I wrap up 8 years serving the citizens of Hendry County, I am proud to know that AirGlades has a tremendous future ahead of it,” said Hendry County Commissioner Kevin McCarthy. McCarthy was the commissioner representative to the delegation visiting FAA’s headquarters. “Not only does this enhance aeronautical capacity for the region, but it also represents a significant step forward in the development potential of AirGlades as an economic driver.”
For more information: HendryEDC.com, FlyAirglades.com
