Aviation View Jan 2023

144 AVIATION VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4 Walla Walla Regional Airport is unique in that it is not owned by the town, but by the Port Authority. In fact, the Walla Walla Port Authority functions as its own municipality, and it is within this framework that decisions are made as to what to do with airport property. There is considerable property, given the size of the original military base coupled with a large industrial park that has utilized many of the older military buildings with a diverse number of tenants. There are facilities ranging from wine-tasting rooms and distilleries to light industrial facilities, as well as retail locations. It is this business park that guarantees the financial self-sufficiency of the airport. “With all of the improvements taking place, we are trying to focus our initiative on growth,” Skoglund concludes. “We have a lot of property available for future development and I think a big part of what we have been about is the recognition that we have a very valuable asset here in our community. Knowing that we work at trying to position ourselves to continue to encourage people to come to Walla Walla and utilize our airport.” Upon reflection Skoglund states, “We want to make the airport welcoming enough and easy enough that it helps lend itself to promoting the region. When we look at our business plan for the next few years it is all about ensuring that we are using our property and building the facilities here at the airport to ensure future success. There is a lot of opportunity for future growth and development here at the airport both on the aviation side and in our business park side so that really is the focus, making sure we’re providing this as an asset that can be utilized for the benefit our whole community.” PREFERREDVENDOR/PARTNER n Visit Walla Walla www.wallawalla.org