Ohio’s Willoughby The opening of a new 5,800-square-foot terminal at Lake County Executive Airport, which will modernize operations and spur regional economic growth, was welcomed by Lake County officials Thursday.
The terminal, which will replace an old structure on Willoughby’s Lost Nation Road, will have enhanced facilities for airport operations and management, pilot comforts, conference space, and passenger waiting rooms. The Lake Development Authority is in charge of the project, which should be finished by the summer of 2026.
According to Patrick T. Mohorcic, executive director of the Lake Development Authority, this new port is an investment in the economic future of Lake County and goes beyond just physical infrastructure. We are making sure that Lake County continues to be a desirable location for both business and leisure travelers by updating our airport infrastructure.
According to county commissioners, the project would improve the initial image that visitors have when they arrive by plane and support local business development.
Commission President Richard J. Regovich stated, “Lake County is open for business, and this new terminal is proof of our commitment to building infrastructure that supports economic growth.”
According to Commissioner John T. Plecnik, the terminal will serve as the airport’s first impression of the county and assist establish it as a gateway.
Along with classroom space for full-time and part-time flight students, the terminal will also house programs that introduce middle and high school kids to careers in aviation, a workforce pipeline that is becoming more and more important in light of the country’s pilot shortage.
According to state data, Ohio’s more than 100 general aviation airports support over 15,000 jobs and produce $1.85 billion in economic activity. According to a press release from regional development organization Team NEO, Lake County Executive Airport serves tens of thousands of aircraft operations every year and is home to several aviation-related industries.
According to J.P. Nauseef, president and CEO of JobsOhio, the terminal is a component of a broader initiative to increase Northeast Ohio’s appeal to businesses seeking to invest there.
According to him, the community recognized that a plan to replace the outdated terminal and solid collaborations would increase the county’s appeal to tourists and businesses while boosting Northeast Ohio’s economic prospects.
The new facility will contribute to bolstering the local economy, said Team NEO CEO Matt Dolan.
Northeast Ohio’s economic growth depends on infrastructure like this state-of-the-art terminal, he said. Lake County is contributing to the competitiveness and appeal of our whole region by making investments in resources that link communities and companies.
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