PORT TOWNSEND — While Jefferson County International Airport will continue to provide economic support and access to the region, it will not grow appreciably in size, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce was told Monday
“We have a 3,000-foot runway, and that’s all it’s ever going to be,” said Port of Port Townsend Executive Director Larry Crockett in a speech at Monday’s chamber membership luncheon.
“Every now and then, someone asks whether we will start landing 747s there, and I say they could land there right now — although they couldn’t take off again.”
Crockett said the airport is restricted by its location between state Highway 20 to the northwest and Highway 19 to the southeast.
“The [Federal Aviation Administration] would allow us to add 200 feet [to the runway] but that wouldn’t do anything. We can’t get any closer to the two state highways.”
Even if the runway won’t get longer, the airport will still grow, according to Crockett.
Crockett said there are 58,000 flight operations — takeoffs and landings — each year.
The FAA is currently providing $175,000 to install instrument-aided approach technology that will set the stage for increased passenger service to the airport.
Automatic systems based on global positioning satellite technology can make it easier for planes to take off and land in foggy conditions, a common problem in Port Townsend.
The rezoning of the area around the airport and its development as an industrial park also will provide a key piece in economic development, Crockett said.
“We aren’t really trying to attract new businesses, but provide a place where local businesses can expand,” he said.
“There are a lot of businesses that can’t grow where they are, so we are giving the county a way to add a few more jobs.”
Crockett said 99 percent of general aviation airports lose money, but the Jefferson County airport, with subsidies from the FAA and the state, has made money.
“We have an airport that actually pays for itself,” he said,
“Your tax dollars aren’t going to the operation out there.”
Crockett said the Port of Port Townsend’s main purpose is to facilitate economic development for the port district.
One of its activities is to provide the land to support the expansion of Coast Seafoods in Quilcene, which supplies oysters to locations around the country.
One recent initiative which Crockett credited to Assistant Port Director Jim Pivarnik was that the port will host a web page for every tenant on port property.
“It’s amazing how many small businesses don’t have a website,” he said.
“These small businesses can’t just sit there any longer and wait for businesses to walk in — they have to join the 21st century and start reaching out beyond.”
The port-sponsored site will be restricted to one page and will provide a link to any existing page that the business may use.
Crockett said a passenger ferry proposal between Port Townsend and Seattle isn’t dead, but the $1 million of federal money needed to get it in the water is uncertain.
He said that the port gets a call from representatives of Sen. Patty Murray, D-Bothell, every few weeks with an update.
Crockett said the port has heard from several boat builders who could “supply a very doable boat” for the money allotted.
“We are waiting for whatever the new budget will be so we know how to reapply,” he said.
“We are still hopeful that this will happen.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
