In a flurry of activity signaling new progress in U.S. public-private partnerships in airport development, Hendry County, Florida and Airglades International, LLC (AIA) announced that, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration had deemed its application under the Airport Investment Partnership Program (AIPP) to be “substantially complete,” with publication in the Federal Register for a 30-day notice-and-comment period, it had selected AvPORTS as airport operator and Star America as a private investor and equity provider in a new all-cargo and perishable goods airport to be located at the current General Aviation Airglades Airport in South Florida, and Airport sponsor Hendry County, Florida had previously entered into a purchase and sale agreement with AIA and approved this week the addition of Star America and AvPORTS to the project.
“Today’s actions represent a major boost to our long-term plans to develop a new state-of-the-art logistics complex that will dramatically reshape the efficient flow of perishable goods from Latin American producers to U.S. consumers," said Fred Ford, AIA President. ” “Much more work still needs to done,” said Ford, “but this airport represents a big win for consumers, airlines, and perishable suppliers, offering streamlined logistics to reduce cold chain disruptions, while reducing trucking and airport congestion.” Ford expressed appreciation for the cooperation AIA and the County have received from the FAA, Customs & Border Protection, Transportation Security Administration, the United States Department of Agriculture/APHIS.
Hendry County Administrator Jennifer Davis applauded the private infrastructure investment and potential jobs impact: “We couldn’t have come this far without our private partners and their investment,” said Davis, “They’ll be upgrading our General Aviation facilities while bringing much-needed infrastructure improvement and jobs to support this innovative, perishable goods facility.” Davis noted that the County welcomes comments from the “broadest possible group of stakeholders” and identified multiple locations in the County for interested parties to obtain notice of the plans and encouraged parties to submit comments.
Aviation veteran Ford added, “We’re thrilled to select these experienced partners and achieve this significant FAA milestone.” Christophe Petit, president of Star America added, “We are delighted to be teaming up with Airglades International Airport for this very exciting project. AIA has an excellent management team and we believe that the project will have a tremendously positive impact for the County.”
