Airport changes meant to bring growth
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP news@leader-news.com

Wharton Regional Airport officials are hoping a series of improvement projects will help the facility take off to the future.

"As Wharton grows, the use of the airport is going to grow," said Glenn Erdelt, an airport board member.

Crews are working on a new 240 foot by 75 foot hangar to house corporate aircraft in four separate spaces.

It's no accident the hangar is being built to accommodate corporate jets.

"The purpose was to get those large aircraft in there that burn more fuel so they'll buy more (fuel) from us," Erdelt said.

The project is one facet of the airport board's five year "development plan." A new terminal building is perhaps the largest item on that list, anticipated to cost some $900,000.

Wharton City Manager Andres Garza Jr. said the city plans to go out for bids in this month for the new terminal.

This is part of the airport's "vision for the future," he said.

Funding for the terminal will come out of a $2 million city bond package issued in 2006.