New St. George Airport Likely Boon to Business

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) The Federal Aviation Administration has given its final approval for a new, expanded airport in St. George. That's particularly good news for Southern Utah businesses. St. George Chamber of Commerce President Russell Behrmann says the area's real weakness is access by air:

"St. George has done a lot of things to be accessible by roads. Trucking is common here to serve Nevada and Southern California," says Behrmann. "But when it comes to air travel, we're limited to the size of aircraft that can travel in and out of here."

Currently SkyWest Airlines - the major carrier for the St. George airport - is limited to landing 30-passenger turboprop planes. The new airport will accommodate larger, quieter jets and likely fuel Washington County's already rapid growth:

"Really what this does is open up one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S. - it opens us up to the rest of the nation so we can access the rest of the country."

Behrmann hopes the new airport will help attract more high-tech businesses to St. George. The airport expansion will cost in excess of $150 million. City officials say they will have a financial plan ready by week's end.

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