LAKELAND Linder Regional Airport in Florida is to start construction in July of a 42-acre maintenance and air cargo facility that will cost US$32 million. Once the first phase is completed the airport aims to attract businesses to open a maintenance, repair and overhaul company for large aircraft.
The initial $13 million construction west of the terminal involves building a ramp for hangar and cargo space, creating utilities, wetland mitigation and storm water management, reported The Ledger, Lakeland, Florida.
The Polk County commission has approved a $500,000 infrastructure grant to the city of Lakeland. In addition, a state grant for $6.5 million and a state loan of $4.6 million to be repaid from lease revenues will help finance the project.
Central Florida Development Council head Sean Malott said the airport's plans are the 'next evolution of business' for an area with nine million people within 100 miles.
It means that perishables or cut flowers could be flown into Lakeland then transported to a destination in central Florida. For example, airport director Gene Conrad said he's had conversations with a company that could bring avocados from another country into Lakeland. Currently, most of the perishable and cut flower business comes into Miami, Mr Conrad said.
It would take a shipping company, such as Old Dominion or Forward Air, to open a site at the airport for the service to begin.
Currently, the airport does not have customs clearance for cargo, but Mr Conrad said the airport would work with the relevant authorities to obtain additional personnel to clear aircraft carrying perishables.
Mr Conrad said the city could lease the space or possibly partner with the state to build hangars for potential businesses looking to come to Lakeland Linder.
The proposed maintenance facility could also be the end of a skill-building pipeline for students at Traviss Technical College and the Central Florida Aerospace Academy. After graduating from one of the schools, students can earn a certificate to work on airframes and aviation engines within six months.
The city wants to lure a large carrier to fly two or three flights a day from Lakeland to hub cities, such as to and from Atlanta on Delta Airlines or Charlotte on American Airlines.
'The economy is in a good spot right now, airlines are making record profits and the population here is growing,' Mr Conrad said. 'Our people here and businesses need to be able to move freely and get in and out.'
'If we fly to a large hub, we can get anywhere in the world and that's the goal,' he added.
The initial $13 million construction west of the terminal involves building a ramp for hangar and cargo space, creating utilities, wetland mitigation and storm water management, reported The Ledger, Lakeland, Florida.
The Polk County commission has approved a $500,000 infrastructure grant to the city of Lakeland. In addition, a state grant for $6.5 million and a state loan of $4.6 million to be repaid from lease revenues will help finance the project.
Central Florida Development Council head Sean Malott said the airport's plans are the 'next evolution of business' for an area with nine million people within 100 miles.
It means that perishables or cut flowers could be flown into Lakeland then transported to a destination in central Florida. For example, airport director Gene Conrad said he's had conversations with a company that could bring avocados from another country into Lakeland. Currently, most of the perishable and cut flower business comes into Miami, Mr Conrad said.
It would take a shipping company, such as Old Dominion or Forward Air, to open a site at the airport for the service to begin.
Currently, the airport does not have customs clearance for cargo, but Mr Conrad said the airport would work with the relevant authorities to obtain additional personnel to clear aircraft carrying perishables.
Mr Conrad said the city could lease the space or possibly partner with the state to build hangars for potential businesses looking to come to Lakeland Linder.
The proposed maintenance facility could also be the end of a skill-building pipeline for students at Traviss Technical College and the Central Florida Aerospace Academy. After graduating from one of the schools, students can earn a certificate to work on airframes and aviation engines within six months.
The city wants to lure a large carrier to fly two or three flights a day from Lakeland to hub cities, such as to and from Atlanta on Delta Airlines or Charlotte on American Airlines.
'The economy is in a good spot right now, airlines are making record profits and the population here is growing,' Mr Conrad said. 'Our people here and businesses need to be able to move freely and get in and out.'
'If we fly to a large hub, we can get anywhere in the world and that's the goal,' he added.