A Model for Bay County

In November 1998, a brand new airport on a rural site opened in Highfill, Arkansas, after years of debate, controversy, careful planning and hard work. That opening celebration was a hard-won event that has led to one of most spectacular success stories in regional aviation.

There are many striking similarities in the issues, comment and debate that led up to the new airport in Northwest Arkansas to those we face today as we work to relocate the Panama City – Bay County International Airport.

Some critics called the site a “remote cow pasture.” Sound familiar?

Others said the old airport in Fayetteville could be expanded to meet any future needs because passenger traffic wouldn’t grow. Heard that one?

Critics said talk of new and better airline service was base solely on hope, and that new service was very doubtful. Does that ring a bell?

Still others said the relocation was a scheme hatched by local big businesses –
Wal-Mart, Tyson Foods and others – for their own benefit. Is there an echo in here?

Yet, the new airport would replace an old, fog-bound site surrounded by mountains, a highway, railroad tracks and the White River. It would serve one of the fastest growing regions in the country. Every expert body that examined the issues and alternatives agreed the new airport was the best solution to the long-range transportation needs of the region.

These facts are all very familiar, too.

What would have happened if the people in Northwest Arkansas had done nothing? What if they had listened to the naysayers, the instant experts and the always-angry, anti-everything zealots? Nothing is what would have happened. Nothing.

Instead, today, Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport has service to Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Memphis, Charlotte and more. Airlines include Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, American Eagle, USAirways, Continental, United, and Northwest Airlink.

Annual traffic has increased from 653,000 in 1999, the first full year after the new airport opened to 1,172,000 in 2006. It is the bustling, growing and respected transportation hub for the entire region.

Can we guarantee that the new Panama City – Bay County International Airport will have the same spectacular success? No. The future doesn’t come with guarantees.

But the same elements for success exist here that existed in Northwest Arkansas in the 1990s: A constrained current airport that inhibits new service and economic development; a fast-growing region with immense potential; a comprehensive plan that is very doable; and, the support of local, state and federal transportation agencies and experts.

Importantly, our plan also includes a 40,000-acre conservation site that will protect important wetlands and their water sources.

There are some things we can guarantee, however.

If we don’t build the new airport, none of the benefits will come our way, probably not ever. Nothing will happen. The future is built on vision, facts, planning and hard work. Those good things are in place in Northwest Florida right now.

It’s time we got about building our future.