The local airport is the gateway to more business and future economic growth in Princeton and Caldwell County.
Members of the Princeton-Caldwell County Airport Board can see the impact the airport already has on the community and area and the potential for future growth — that’s why the board continues to seek grants to fund more improvements and updates.
Board Chairman Lloyd Murdock and board member Phillip Sisk shared some information last week about the local airport including a little history with the earliest found financial records dating back to 1962. Murdock said he understands plans for a local airport began after some veterans returned to Princeton from World War II.
click to download audioSisk said people don’t realize the impact the airport has in the community on a day-to-day basis and he believes it’s taken for granted.
click to download audioMurdock added that the local airport is a gateway into our community and serves businesses.
click to download audioAccording to Murdock, he and Sisk have met several businessmen that fly into the airport from Louisville, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois and others.
click to download audioThe airport has about 10 tie-downs where pilots can secure their planes, but as far as how many planes the airport can accommodate, Sisk said they had more than 50 airplanes on the ground at the airport during the 2017 Eclipse.
click to download audioMurdock added the airport was at total capacity for that event.
The airport is owned by the city and county as both branches of government allocate a certain amount of money. Sisk noted those funds open the doors which is why the airport board applies for grants to continue to make improvements. Currently, he said the board received a $400,000 grant for a land acquisition obstruction removal that they have been fighting for several years.
click to download audioThere are at least 10 box hangars at the airport with a waiting list of people who want to house their planes there. Right now, Sisk said the board is seeking grant funding for its next project which is to build ten individual t-hangars at approximately $100,000 per hangar.
Murdock noted that if the local airport can house more planes they will be able to increase the number of opportunities for people from outside the area to serve the local community.
