Ask the average person what comes to mind when they think about airport features and they’ll probably say something about runways, taxiways or pavement.

But the staff at Sebring Regional Airport believes an airport is a much more complex site with potential beyond aviation.

Sebring Regional Airport isn’t just a transportation hub—it functions as a real estate development that happens to have a runway as one of its amenities.

The 2,200 acre property houses a commerce park, the Sebring International Raceway (where the world famous 12 Hour Sebring International Grand Prix of Endurance is held each year) and is the future home for a variety of developments, expansions and job opportunities that will play a role in Florida’s economic future.

UNLIMITED POTENTIAL

Sebring Regional Airport is located in South Central Florida’s Highlands County, a small, rural community with close proximity to major tourist attractions and high business potential.

About 85 percent of Florida’s population lives within 150 miles of Sebring Regional Airport, so its projects and expansions have the potential to make an impact on the welfare of much of the state.

Mike Willingham, Sebring Regional Airport’s Executive Director, has been with the airport for 20 years and in that time, he’s stepped up to the challenge of making Highlands County a better place to live with each business move the airport makes.

“We really concentrate on running the airport as a business and a platform for economic development,” Willingham says.

CREATIVE ECONOMICS

The cost of living in Highlands County is significantly lower than what other cities face, so small businesses in the area have been able to prosper and face economic challenges.

Willingham believes that by operating as a business center and experimenting with ways to expand, Sebring Regional Airport’s board of directors has shaped a unique and thriving environment.

“Occasionally things don’t work out, but nine times out of ten, when we experiment with something, out of the ashes comes something very successful,” Willingham says. “Working with a staff that has the latitude to experiment and be creative without being criticized is a major reason we are successful.”

Projects and developments at Sebring Regional Airport have created jobs for residents of Highlands County and its surrounding areas, so local, state and federal elected officials have been keen to support its enterprise.

Sebring Regional Airport offers a variety of economic benefits to small businesses, airside and landside. The airport was authorized Foreign Trade Zone status in 1997, and it is one of the few airports in the country that is completely encompassed by a Foreign Trade Zone. Its fuel farm is located within the Zone, so all fuel purchased at Sebring for offshore travel carries low federal and state taxes.

PROMISING PROJECTS

With a program in the works called the Encouragement Zone, Sebring Regional Airport plans to add value to properties surrounding the airport.

“This program will incentivize land owners in the 8,000 acres around us to develop their property in compatible ways with the airport in exchange for rights, permitting ability, zoning and different things that will add value to what they do and not take away from any opportunities they had before,” says Willingham.

Sebring Regional Airport also has several development plans underway that will contribute to the economy, including the Catalyst Project.

After more than five years of planning, the six counties and three cities that comprise the South Central Florida rural area of critical economic concern selected Sebring Regional Airport as the host site of the Catalyst Project. When completed in about two years, the 100-acre development will be the site of medical manufacturing, research and development.

“The Catalyst Project will have a major effect on the complexion of who we are in the region over time,” says Willingham. “Right now our economy is predominately agricultural. One of the goals of this project is to diversify the economy with high-paying, value-added jobs while retaining our agricultural heritage”

Beyond the commerce park, Sebring Regional Airport is maintaining its aviation standards with the reconstruction and extension of its main runway. The 20 million dollar project involves moving rail spur lines and infrastructure, extending the runway to 7,000 feet and installing LED lights.

MOVING FORWARD

In the future, Sebring Regional Airport plans to keep doing what it does best—developing ways for cargo, passenger service and manufacturing solutions to not only thrive, but also have a positive collective impact.

 “It’s my belief that when you concentrate on good business operations, everything else falls into place as a matter of course,” Willingham says. “If we do the right things today, we certainly can be a global platform for development in the future.”Ask the average person what comes to mind when they think about airport features and they’ll probably say something about runways, taxiways or pavement.

But the staff at Sebring Regional Airport believes an airport is a much more complex site with potential beyond aviation.

Sebring Regional Airport isn’t just a transportation hub—it functions as a real estate development that happens to have a runway as one of its amenities.

The 2,200 acre property houses a commerce park, the Sebring International Raceway (where the world famous 12 Hour Sebring International Grand Prix of Endurance is held each year) and is the future home for a variety of developments, expansions and job opportunities that will play a role in Florida’s economic future.