"Ready for the Big Time?" -- Part Two
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Updated: 10:02 PM Feb 17, 2010
"Ready for the Big Time?" -- Part Two
Prior to construction, supporters of the new airport in West Bay talked about two main benefits: the potential for more tourists and for more businesses. But what will follow?
Posted: 10:02 PM Feb 17, 2010
Reporter: Matt de Nesnera
Email Address: matthew.denesnera@wjhg.com

Ready For The Big Time - Part 2
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Locals are hoping the new airport in West Bay will bring more than just visitors. In fact, they're banking on jobs.

Panama City Beach resident Rayford Corvo said, "Me or [my girlfriend] neither have never been without a job. There's none out there. That airport ain't going to do nothing but bring jobs."

Corvo believes tourists will fill the condos, meaning work for him: "I'm a landscaper. It's going to put me over the top because there's actually going to be people wanting to buy homes again."

But, is Panama City Beach ready for the boom of tourists? Officials think so.

"We saw about three years ago an unbelievable redevelopment on the Front Beach Road and Back Beach Road and at that time, the city got prepared. We have plenty of water, we have sewer, we're working on the streets and the roads," said Panama City Beach mayor Gayle Oberst.

Bay County has had zoning regulations in place near the airport since 2008. Officials recently approved the first set of plans for a St. Joe Company business center development -- 110 acres of land by the entrance of the airport.

Bay County public information officer Valerie Lovett said, "In the area surrounding the airport, you're going to see a litany of different types of development. It could be residential, commercial, any number of things. Commercial will likely come before any residential would come out there."

Any new development would be along the Highway 79 corridor and to the west of the airport. Even though a good amount is currently zoned for agriculture or conservation, officials hope they will land some big businesses.

"We anticipate when the economy picks up, more and more businesses relocating," said Oberst.

But, it all hinges on an economic recovery.

As for recession's effect on the planes: "There's the argument to be made that tough times are the best times to bring in service like this. People need value, they need a low fare," said Southwest VP of Properties, Bob Montgomery.

At this point, there are no guarantees. Only time will tell if the nation's newest airport will lead to success for the "World's Most Beautiful Beaches."

As for new beach attractions, Pier Park is continuing to fill a niche, recreating a part of the beach's hey-day with it's own Miracle Strip amusement park.

Just last week, beach city council members approved plans for the new Emerald Coast water park on Front Beach Road.


Latest Comments

Posted by: Dave Location: Marianna on Feb 18, 2010 at 08:43 AM

Those of us, from the Marianna area, that used to use the old airpoort, will now go to Dothan, and spend our money in Alabama. No great improvement here.
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