Aviation View | Volume 2, Issue 1

47 AVIATION VIEW VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 LEA COUNTY REGIONAL A I RPORT An Energy Hub at the Heart of the Permian Basin There’s an energy in Lea County, and we’re not just talking about the most prolific oil basin in the world – the Permian Basin.  Best known as the EnergyPlex®, Lea County is a major player to the world of energy.  Whether it’s solar, wind, oil, gas, nuclear - and in the future hydrogen - the EnergyPlex® really has it all.  Currently, the #1 oil-producing county in the United States, Lea County has built a family-friendly community that boasts fantastic educational, recreational and career opportunities. Wanting the most convenient way to access all that the Permian Basin has to offer?  United Airlines, operating in the Lea County Regional Airport (HOB) in Hobbs, NM offers regular routes to Denver and Houston.  From Hobbs, you are one-stop to anywhere in the world.   And just in case you think Hobbs and Lea County are too remote, it is worth noting that Hobbs has the largest retail trade area in southeastern New Mexico – with access to almost 600,000 people within a 95-minute drive time.  Hobbs and Lea County are rich in amenities (and sunshine), and free from congestion you’ll find elsewhere in the Permian.  With a strong workforce, robust education system and growing industries, Lea County is a place where your business can thrive! ...... For more information, please visit our website edclc.org service with United Airlines – and with the 50 seaters, it was obvious that we needed more room.” So one thing led to another…As Needham recalls, “We began the process of expanding and decided we wanted to build it to the east. But to the east was our old fire department, and so we needed to build a new fire department. It took until 2018 to relocate the fire department and prepare the land for construction. We have now quadrupled the size of the terminal, as we went from about 4500 square feet to just under 20,000 square feet. We also went from one gate to three gates. All this construction finished in January of 2021. The new terminal has all the modern amenities, such as state-of-the-art PA systems, USB charging at every seat, laptop stations at the back of the seating, and free Wi- Fi.” He admits that this all happened with perfect timing. As the pandemic hit, they were able to open larger, well-spaced areas for passengers. Six feet distancing was easy to maintain, and