Firm’s relocation to airport nears fruition

POCATELLO — If all goes as planned, Petersen Incorporated will move its current operation to the Pocatello Regional Airport later this year, airport manager David Allen told the Rotary Club of Pocatello Thursday.

Allen said a final meeting with the Utah-based company was set for Thursday and construction of the new facility could start as soon as next month.

“There are no known show-stoppers,” Allen said. “I am 95 percent sure the deal will go through.”

The metal fabrication company is currently housed at the Gateway Industrial Park Complex.

Allen said there is 114 acres of usable property at the city-owned airport and he foresees the space being filled
during the next five years.

Speaking at the Pocatello Red Lion Thursday, Allen said when he took charge of the Pocatello Regional Airport
three years ago, his focus was air service, land development and public relations, and he admitted that progress has been slow due to jurisdictional and marketing issues.

Land development is directly tied to air service.

“If you build one, the other will follow,” Allen said.

Currently, there are 60 leases on the 3,500 acre airport.

The facility offers easy access to the interstate, railroad and air service, Allen said.

Efforts to establish a route to Denver were hampered by airline mergers and cost.

Frontier A i r l i n e s asked for a $1 million revenue guarantee and United merged with Continental Air during negotiations.

Currently, SkyWest serves as the connection for Delta Airlines at the Pocatello Regional Airport, and Allen said the airline could possibly also serve as the United connector for the Denver route. But that will, most likely, not happen this year.

Horizon Air announced Wednesday that it will stop flights from Idaho Falls in August, and Allen said he’s looking into the impact of the closure on the Pocatello Regional Airport.

“I’m looking to see what I can do to take advantage of that,” he said.

Two major events are also planned at the Pocatello Regional Airport this month.

Allen, who is also the president of the Portneuf Rotary Club, said the Big Band Blast, set for June 25, will raise
money to support service projects locally and worldwide. The new club’s focus is youth, clean water and the eradication of polio.

The World War II era event will feature a 17-piece orchestra and dinner will be catered by Texas Roadhouse.
Tickets are $20 and are on sale at the Pocatello Regional Airport and Prime-Time Auctions at 3400 S. Fifth Ave.

For more information, call 234-6154.
On June 26, the airport will host an open house from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Allen said the Young Eagle will provide free plane rides and the Av center Inc. will offer plane tours for $10. Utah
Helicopter will be on hand and will take up passengers for $25 each.

“It’s just a chance for people to experience the joy of flying,” Allen said.

BY DEBBIE BRYCE
dbryce@journalnet.com