environment for young pilots. The alternate runway also offers an additional layer of safety. We have no plans to shut down the second runway, ensuring continued support for flight training and other operations.” FUTURE PRIORITIES AND EXPANSION As Mineral Wells Regional Airport gears up for the future, several key priorities and projects are on the horizon. Cuevas envisions significant changes in the next year. “In the next 8 to 12 months, the land options out here will change drastically. We are welcoming and encouraging growth, and the city is very willing to work with companies that want to move here,” she says. This proactive stance highlights the city’s recognition of aviation as a critical driver of economic growth. Mineral Wells is also integrating the airport into its broader economic strategy.“The city’s comprehensive plan identifies four main pillars for economic growth, and the airport is one of them. Incredibly, they understand and appreciate aviation’s role. I don’t have to convince the council every week about the importance of these investments,” Cuevas explains. Among the immediate priorities is updating the airport’s vehicle fleet. Cuevas states, “We’re trying to get a newAvgas truck and possibly a new jet truck. Updating our vehicles will help improve our service speed.” Enhancing the airport’s operational efficiency is crucial in accommodating increasing traffic and Connecting Communities Through Aviation GarverUSA.com 170 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 06
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