Airport expansion could bring jobs to Hendry County

CLEWISTON, Fla. – Investors want to transform Airglades Airport to a cargo transportation hub.

Hendry County leaders are interested in the $500,000 project for the jobs it could bring to an airport they insist is under-utilized.

Cargo companies share their interest because Airglades Airport would present an alternative to Miami International Airport.

The project would introduce the transportation of fresh flowers, asparagus and seafood using large cargo planes flying in from Central and South America.

Planes would land on a 10,000-foot runway and off-load produce for inspection at a 1 million square-foot warehouse. Crews would then load the perishable items onto trucks that would drive the goods to other states.

Backers are selling the idea to firms whose trucks lose time transporting goods in heavy Miami traffic.

Noise would not be an issue for residents, officials said.