Will Go Towards Construction Of A New Maintenance Hangar

The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded a $1.5 million AIP grant to Treasure Coast International Airport (KFPR) in Fort Pierce, FL for the construction of a new 30,000 square-foot maintenance hangar at the field.

The McClatchy news service reports that the county learned about the award last Thursday. County Administrator Howard Tipton said the federal moneys will be combined with $2.5 million state grant to pay for 80 percent of the project, which expected to cost about $5 million. The county will provide the remaining $1 million for the project.

The hangar will be large enough to hold two Boeing 747 airplanes. It is part of the county's overall economic growth plan to stimulate development at the GA airport northwest of downtown Fort Pierce.

Tipton said he sees the airport as a "top economic engine not only for the northwest part of the county, but for the entire treasure Coast region."

Aviation maintenance jobs at the new hangar are expected to pay an average of nearly $57,000 per year, according to the U.S. bureau of Labor Statistics.

The airport is also renovating its customs building to double its capacity.

FMI: www.stlucieco.gov/airport