Business View Magazine | July 2019

121 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE JULY 2019 PUNTA GORDA A I RPORT power plant mechanics; a home-based Civil Air Patrol; and the U.S. division of Applus Laboratories –Arcadia Aerospace Industries. AAI performs inspections on Honda and Boeing structural composite airframe components. In addition, there are a number of non-aviation tenants on its industrial park property, including FedEx, Pulsafeeder (pumps), and AmeriGas. “The Charlotte County Sheriff is also one of our tenants and they have almost 600 employees here at the Airport,” say Parish. “Plus, we have about 300 acres that’s prime for development. We have roads and infrastructure all in place. One of our newest neighbors is Cheney Brothers, a large food distribution company who just built on 37 acres. We are also, currently, in the process of purchasing 60 acres on the north side of the Airport. We are fortunate that, a number of years ago, the Airport Authority, the airport management, and the county worked together to put an overlay zoning district around the Airport that allows for commercial and industrial development but does not allow for any residential development. So, we have a good two- mile perimeter around the Airport where there can be no additional residential development. So, there’s a lot of land available and we’re just in a prime location for industrial development.” When all is said and done, however, Punta Gorda Airport’s major attribute is its reborn designation as a prime GA airport with great air carrier service, serving the people and businesses of the tourist mecca that is southwest Florida. “Our Airport gives you the opportunity to travel to 40-plus, nonstop destinations and it brings those people from all over the country into our community,” says Parish, in conclusion. “And, because of our success, Allegiant has chosen Southwest Florida as the location for their first resort. They are building the first phase of a $450 million resort right on the harbor, five or six miles from the Airport. So, we’re excited about that partnership with them. The important thing, I think, is that this Airport works extremely well between general aviation and the air carriers. There’s no animosity whatsoever. Everybody flies well on the airfield here.”