The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, in collaboration with the City of Elk City, celebrated the groundbreaking for the new Elk City Regional Business Airport (KELK) terminal and hangar April 26, 2024.
“The Elk City Regional Airport has a $5.7 million economic impact on our community. By replacing our 1966 terminal, we are getting a new front door to our city,” said Oklahoma State Representative Nick Archer. “This forward-thinking will serve our city and community for decades.”
“The movers and shakers, the people who bring business to a town, don’t come in on the Greyhound bus,” added Bobby Southard, Elk City Airport chairman. “They come to town from the airport, and now we will be able to make a great first impression of Elk City with our new terminal.”
The groundbreaking ceremony signifies a culmination of strategic investments in aviation infrastructure by Oklahoma’s leadership, according to state aviation officials.
“Beginning with the 2022 Legislative Session, increased funding allocated to the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics marked a shift in prioritizing aerospace and defense initiatives,” officials said. “This sustained investment has empowered the department to embark on transformative projects, including the construction of three new terminal buildings across the state, made possible by FY 2024 appropriations.”
For more information: Oklahoma.gov
Years ago, when the national aviation infrastructure was more debate than substance, Gil Robb Wilson wrote that the cities and towns with airports would get bigger and those without would get smaller. He was so right. The discussion now is on maintaining not only the brick and mortar and digital infrastructure, but also the human component of our air transportation system. Without SMALLer airports to light the fires of enthusiasm and train the pilots and maintenance professionals who will keep the momentum alive, we will be in trouble. Smaller cities like Elk City will not only profit, they will flourish and we in the aviation community will as well from projects like these.