Progressive Aerodyne Manufacturing The Amphib LSAs In Tavares, FL

Tavares, FL, hopes to gain wider recognition of its official brand as "America's Seaplane City," and with Progressive Aerodyne manufacturing the popular SeaRey amphibious airplane on the shores of Lake Dora, they may have a moved a step closer towards that goal.

The city has already re-branded its self to reflect the importance of seaplanes to the local economy, having established a seaplane base in 2010 that has seen an estimated 3,400 landings over the past two years. The town of about 14,000 residents has also reworked its downtown area, which has seen several new restaurants and one boutique hotel open for business.

But the Orlando Sentinel reports that the city thinks that the SeaRey manufacturing facility will be a catalyst for additional economic recovery, not only for Tavares but the entire region. SeaRey, which won classification as an LSA from the FAA in November, will be joined in central Florida by ItalicoAviation USA, which will build LSAs in Kissimmee, FL, and Wipaire plans a service center in Leesburg.

City Administrator John Drury said that over the next three to five years, he expects that a "seaplane cottage industry" will grow up around Tavares, attracting not only aviation but other businesses to the region.

FMI: www.searey.com, www.tavares.org