Airglades Airport, previously named Riddle Field, was initially developed as a training facility for British pilots during World War II. From 1942 to 1945, over 1300 cadets were trained at Riddle Field. The facility was decommissioned as a military facility in 1946, transferred to the State of Florida and then ultimately to Hendry County. Currently, Airglades operates as a general aviation facility and is home to a flight school and skydiving company.
In 2010, Hendry County, Florida, the airport sponsor, recognized the benefits that a major perishable air cargo complex at Airglades would bring to the county and to the region. The FAA approved the County’s preliminary application to enter the Airport Investment Partnership Program (AIPP) (formerly known as the Airport Privatization Pilot Program), which allows the County to work with private developers and negotiate a proposed agreement to privatize the airport. Based on that approval, the County is working with a team of advisors to continue the process for developing the perishable air cargo complex and submitting a final AIPP application for FAA approval. The FAA provides further information on the AIPP program at the following site.
In 2017, the FAA issued Hendry County a Finding of No Significant Impact and Record of Decision for the project following a thorough Environmental Assessment. Hendry County expects to submit a Final Application to the AIPP program in 2019. Final Decision of the FAA 10/3/2019
The Airglades International Airport project has everyone abuzz.
The plans are to turn the municipal airport in Clewiston into a commercial hub for perishable cargo like fruits, vegetables, fresh flowers and seafood.
A group of partners called Florida Cargo Fresh, made up of AIA Inc., U.S. Sugar and the Hilliard Brothers, plan to replace the 5,000-foot runway and expand it to more than 11,000 feet to accommodate large cargo planes from South and Central America.
The estimated $650 million project, expected to be finalized by early 2019, may be just what Hendry needs to kick-start growth.
Hendry has the highest unemployment rate in the state at 8.3 percent in August, compared to Lee at 3.7 percent and Collier at 4.2.
The Airglades project would create an estimated 1,500 jobs, much needed in a county with a poverty rate of 25.1 percent and a per capita income of $18,027.
The county has been taking steps to pave the way for the future by investing in and installing infrastructure like sidewalks, roads, and sewer and water lines.
Hendry County Commissioners also met recently to discuss a proposal that the county use a Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant to create a sports park in LaBelle that would also draw more visitors to the county and drive growth.
But is now the right time?
Although there is a lot of optimism for the future of Hendry County, there still exist some doubts that serious growth will happen any time soon.
“I think Hendry County is the future, but it’s not on the radar today,” Thibaut said.
Thibaut believes the airport project could be a game-changer, but that it will be decades before developers fully embrace the area.
“If the new trade port deal gets finalized and built, then that’s going to create some energy and opportunities,” Thibaut said. “However, I would not say the immediate future outside of that, that there is a significant demand or anything that’s moving the dial specifically for permits in Hendry County for a while.”
Compared to Lee and Collier counties, there has been little activity with building permits in Hendry and, as a result, developers are unlikely to try to build in that market, he said.
Instead, Southwest Florida developers are flocking more to Lee County and places like Lehigh Acres and the North Fort Myers area because of affordability and availability of land and housing.
Thibaut said these locations are more desirable because of the ability to get on Interstate 75 and have a shorter commute while still having shopping and retail opportunities that Hendry County doesn’t offer.
Although land is cheap in Hendry, there is a lack of affordable housing, which is a necessity if the county wants to increase population and develop rural lands.