Airport aids local economy
During the master plan process for Pocatello Regional Airport, I’ve had the opportunity to brainstorm with many people about development and the results have been spectacular. It is difficult to contain my excitement and enthusiasm about what lies ahead for the airport and the communities we support. Before looking at the future, I think it’s important that you know where we are now. Many of you will be surprised.
For example, the airport property consists of 3,400 acres. There are more than 60 leases for airport property, including the Pocatello Motocross Park and the Jet Stop Truck Stop. The airport generates $39 million in annual economic input to the region and supports 477 jobs.
And you may be surprised to know that Petersen Inc. recently built a 69,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on airport land, preserving the jobs of 45 local employees, and designed it with an eye on future expansion and investment.
The airport is a tremendous asset. The property is annexed into the Pocatello city limits and has city water and sewer systems. The airport’s most valuable assets are developable land and multi-modal transportation access. There are more than 1,600 acres of potentially developable land at the airport. A 700-acre industrial site has been established and 450 acres are ready to be developed.
The Pocatello Regional Airport Business Park has four zones: warehouse/distribution, light industry/ manufacturing, professional office/ business and commercial retail.
There are 600 acres available for aviation activity. Many aviation businesses would find our airport very attractive. The 9,060-foot-long primary runway is suitable for all but the largest of aircraft. The airport’s location away from the local communities makes it suitable for 24/7 operations and flight traffic. These qualities make our airport look very attractive to the aviation industry. The best target businesses for aviation development are aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, and aircraft manufacturing. Both would require large facilities and aircraft parking aprons. Both would conduct flight testing, increasing air traffic.
The other asset is access. There are three modes: air, interstate and rail. Yes, the airport has a rail spur connected to the UPRR line. This means a manufacturing plant could bring large components from overseas inland from the port via rail, could truck product out to many locations in North America via direct access to I-86, and could use air service for the shipment of critical items.
What the airport is lacking is infrastructure, and to that end the city established an Urban Renewal Area and Revenue Allocation District. The district allows for Tax Increment Financing to help pay for infrastructure improvements that will help new businesses locating at the airport. Planned improvements include a 1 million gallon water tank and water, sewer, storm water and franchise utility upgrades, and road, curb and gutter improvements. There is also a $365,000 project to extend and rehabilitate the rail spur and build an intermodal trans-load station. This facility will transfer goods and materials between rail cars and trucks, providing rail access to any tenant on the airport regardless of proximity to the spur. A trans-load station is an important element that will make the airport even more attractive to prospective clients.
The abundance of land at the airport allows for co-locating support vendors or value-added businesses. One entity could manufacture a product, then deliver it next door, where another firm uses it to create product B. An aircraft manufacturer could build their MRO facility right next door to increase efficiency. They could also maintain a logistics warehouse and immediately ship critical aircraft parts worldwide. Worldwide you question? Why not? If a business is interested in locating such an operation here, I’m sure we could obtain the international status necessary to succeed.
The airport’s mission is to be a significant economic engine and vital source for transportation services. The potential is there. The possibilities are endless. The airport is performing at only a tiny fraction of its capacity and we’re already generating $39 million a year. The exciting part is that this is just the beginning for Pocatello Regional Airport, but don’t take my word for it. Attend Airport Appreciation Day on Saturday and find out for yourself what great things our airport has to offer!
David Allen is manager of Pocatello Regional Airport. He can be reached at (208) 234-6154.