Sebring Airport Plans For Massive Growth

Big plans for growth are afoot at the Sebring Regional Airport.

The Sebring Airport Authority and Highlands County Economic Development Commission hope to expand and create a global airport and much-expanded industrial campus.

Planned expansion calls for an adding about 8,000 acres to the north of the 2,000-acre site that the airport and industrial park now sits on.

The two agencies met jointly on Thursday for the first time in 10 years to discuss what SAA executive director Mike Willingham said is a 50- to 100-year plan.

"It's not a facility for this city, region, state or county, "said Willingham. "It's a global platform for economic development. We're creating a world-class inland airport."

Willingham projected that newly created businesses on the planned 10,000-acre tract he referred to as the "ultimate mixed-used development" could create 15,000 jobs.

An improved airport might add 100 commercial and 50 cargo flights a day to what is now a general aviation airport with no commercial flights.

Willingham hopes to tap into Central American and Caribbean markets by air, and Florida seaports by four lane highways that might someday crisscross Highlands County, but are still early in the planning stages.

John Haviland, chairman of the SAA board, has lobbied and worked hard for residents of the Heartland and talked about the reaction by others.

Haviland said that one accomplishment was to convince naysayers "to understand that people do exist in the middle of the state."

Louise England, executive director the EDC, said the shared vision with the SAA to create economic development would likely create better paying jobs, add to the tax base and increase the overall quality of life for all residents.

England said that several merging industries are courted by the EDC. England and Willingham hope to attract a Light Sport Aircraft manufacturer, "green building" manufacturers and even what would likely be the county's second bio-fuel facility, if the facility near Venus is built.

England talked after the meeting about marketing the old-fashioned way - individual to individual.

The light aircraft expos are held at the airport and attract several Fortune 500 companies and business from dozens of states and several countries.

England, Willingham and their teams made a point to talk to representatives with each of the more than 100 companies at the expos.

"It's marketing by personal contact," said England. "Don't ever let go of them - never stop."

Bill Lutrick, a consultant with Tetra Tech, said future plans are based on land acquisition, "but you don't have to own it to control it."

Willingham also discussed that 8,000-acre "Encouragement Zone" to the north of the airport.

Willingham said those land owners would benefit by partnering with the SAA and EDC because land values would increase and those owners would receive help to do things that they wouldn't have the ability to do themselves.