Peoria Eyeing Own Airport

Peoria officials are contemplating the creation of an airport complex to spur economic development in the West Valley suburb. It’s early in the process, but a recent preliminary analysis from a consulting group found that a 220-acre Peoria airport complex could have an economic impact of $1 billion a year, generate $60 million in state and local tax revenue annually and create 8,000 jobs. It would cost an estimated $150 million to build.

Peoria Airpark would be similar in operations to Scottsdale Airpark (photo). It would be limited to light and mid-size business jets and general aviation aircraft, with no large commercial or cargo planes. The study said that up to 80 aircraft could be based at the airport initially, and that would eventually expand to 217 aircraft, some 20 years after construction.