Pocatello Airport Presents 20-Year Plan
The Pocatello Airport is unveiling its 20-year master plan to the public.
The airport invited anyone from the region to show up Thursday and get an in-depth look at what’s in store for the future of the airport.
“We want them so see that this airport is going to be growing, not by leaps and bounds, but by significant steady growth over the next 20 years,? Airport Manager David Allen said.
But the point of the open house isn’t just to present the master plat, but to get feedback from what locals think.
“We can get insight from the public that we might not have seen. And really this is a regional airport so it belongs to everybody in a way,? Allen said.
Many of the planned changes are focused on updating the airport, bringing in larger planes, jets and more flights.
“Hopefully what the passenger is going to see is a more vibrant airport,? Aviation Consultant Dave Nafie said.
But the master plan is also focused on the area surrounding the airport and turning it into a real economic strength for the region.
An array of solar panels could begin to fill the space between the runways, and businesses could start up in a new industrial park.
?The airport can serve as an incubator, if you will, for a number of different industries that are up and coming. And it’s difficult to predict what those are,? Nafie said.
Local economic leaders say the airport’s land development could have the biggest impact on the community.
“Out at our airport we have our industrial park, and it is there and ready for new businesses. which in turn means new jobs. And so it’s economic growth for us in so many ways,? Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director Jennifer Bowen said.
