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The federal government has announced a $22.4-million investment for the Kelowna International Airport (YLW).<\/p>\n
The funds will be used to extend basic electrical, water and sewage infrastructure to more than 66.77 hectares (165 acres) of empty land, and create a runway-accessible industrial park along the airport eastern border.<\/p>\n
“This investment removes the infrastructure barriers and creates serviced airport, industrial land \u2014 which is a massive, massive deal,” \u00a0Stephen Fuhr, federal secretary of state for defence procurement and the MP for Kelowna, \u00a0said during a news conference.<\/p>\n
“We are strengthening the local economy, creating opportunities for skilled training jobs, and opening the door to Canada’s aerospace industry to grow right here at home.”<\/p>\n
The $22.4-million commitment is the part of a larger $58.8-million expansion project authorized by the City of Kelowna. <\/p>\n
The remaining $36.4 million will be financed through the Municipal Finance Authority, with debt repayment coming from airport reserves rather than local taxation.<\/p>\n
Several prominent Canadian aerospace companies are already lining up to utilize the new space.<\/p>\n
De Havilland Canada, Wildcat Helicopters and FireSwarm Solutions \u2014 a company developing autonomous firefighting drones<\/a> \u2014 have all expressed interest in expanding their operations at YLW.<\/p>\n Phillip Elchitz, director of operations and innovation at YLW, emphasized that the development goes far beyond basic infrastructure.<\/p>\n “Today is more than just infrastructure. Today is unlocking possibilities,” Elchitz said.<\/p>\n “We see airports as economic engines, places where innovation happens, where investment is attracted, where industry grows, where people build careers, and where communities create the conditions for long term prosperity.”<\/p>\n YLW emerging aerospace hub<\/p>\n The airport, B.C.\u2019s second-busiest, saw some 2.3 million passengers<\/a> travel to 22 destinations last year \u2014 with the airport saying<\/a> it contributes more than $2 billion annually to the local economy and supports over 9,000 jobs.<\/p>\n YLW has opened a new $101-million, 5,500-square-metre terminal expansion, on-site hotel, and covered parking facilities in the last few years.<\/p>\n