New name, $4.2M project for airport

Poplar Bluff’s airport will get a name change, part of an effort that recognizes its changing role in both the area and the state.

Its growth in recent years has also helped it receive $4.2 million in funding for a runway improvement project, part of $7 million in construction planned in the next five years.

The information was presented Tuesday to Poplar Bluff City Council members during a special meeting held to discuss the city’s 2020 budget (see main story).

Poplar Bluff Municipal Airport will become the Poplar Bluff Regional Business Airport, said Gary Pride, airport manager.

“The FAA and Aviation Division of MoDOT (Missouri Department of Transportation) has determined our airport is no longer a municipal airport,” he explained. “Forecast data indicates population and employment within our region will continue to grow, and therefore the airport must continue to grow to support those needs.”

Current data indicates the airport has the characteristics of both a regional and business airport, he said.

Of the 107 public use airports in the state, Poplar Bluff’s ranks in the top 20 most essential, Pride explained.

“The size and type of aircraft continues to increase and I feel most people would be surprised to know it’s common to have 40 to 50 jet aircraft operations a month,” he said. “We have more business aircraft supporting manufacturing, industry and retail outlets within our community and even more importantly, those which are scouting us to locate future employment opportunities.”

The airport averages 200 visitors a month, Pride said.

The $4.2 million runway improvement project will allow larger and heavier aircraft to land at the airport, Pride said. It is the first phase of a project to have a 6,000-foot runway, making commercial passenger service possible, he said.

The aviation division of MoDOT will cover 90% of costs, with the city picking up the remaining 10%, Pride said. The city has been saving for this project for the past two years, so the match money is already set aside, he explained.

“With involvement and activity being the strongest I’ve seen in 20 years, we need to continue to capitalize on this opportunity and provide the equipment, facilities and infrastructure to support our airport’s mission,” Pride said.