Business View Magazine | June 2019

179 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE JUNE 2019 Patrol – Lake Composite Squadron; Experimental Aircraft Association – Chapter 534; and The Villages retirement community’s corporate flight department. In addition, Leesburg International Airport is a Port of Entry to the U.S., due to its U.S. Customs and Border Protection office, allowing international flights to be cleared in Leesburg and the establishment of a Foreign-Trade Zone. The airport, which is managed by the City of Leesburg, is self-sustaining, and has been designated a Gold Seal Airport by the Florida Department of Transportation, recognized for its high standards for infrastructure, services, and safety. The most recent, major project at the airport has been the construction of a seaplane ramp and associated docks. “The seaplane ramp is complete,” says Airport Manager, Tracy Dean. “And every person that’s used it has commented they think it’s the most beautiful seaplane facility they have ever seen and used.” The State of Florida is second only to Alaska in terms of the number of seaplanes and LEESBURG INTERNAT IONAL A I RPORT seaplane-certified pilots that are registered within the state. The airport’s proximity to the Metro Orlando area, together with the availability of U.S. Customs services on the airfield, make it an ideal gateway for seaplane traffic to the Central Florida region. Leesburg’s sister city, Tavares, located about 11 miles to the east, is a local hub for seaplane sightseeing and entertainment, and the Leesburg Airport is expected to serve as a hub for seaplane maintenance. Currently, the Airport is in the progress of working through a comprehensive Master Plan, which, according to Dean, outlines its programs, operations, and potential growth through 2035. “The airport is about 850 acres, so there’s additional land for future development, but there are challenges that come with it,” she notes. “There’s a lot of wetlands on the property and there’s a need for infrastructure; there are no utilities on the south side. So, long-term, there is plenty of room, and, hopefully, the Master Plan will help us prioritize some of that.”