Yakima Airport Poised for New Development

Yakima’s Airport has been a valued asset within the region for over 80 years. During the past few years, new development has been unfolding around the airport, opening doors to bigger opportunities. With public utilities now serving areas south of the main runway, over 100 acres of industrial property are now primed for business development. According to Mike Redmond, Yakima Air Terminal’s newly-hired manager, there are immediate realizable growth opportunities for the airport. "With the National Guard armory in place, new hangars being constructed, and commercial development taking off northwest of our main runway, we are excited about our future potential.”

 

Mike Redmond is another reason why the Yakima Valley is optimistic about the airport. Redmond recently came out of the private sector to take the airport management job. He has degrees in mechanical engineering and business management, has 30 years of business experience, and has worked for over 20 years in the aerospace industry. We think Redmond has a great skill set for the job, and, as someone who has returned to his hometown, he is a passionate advocate for developing the airport and our regional economy.

 

Redmond’s initial priorities include determining which areas on current airport property are most attractive for aviation business development, what additional infrastructure changes might make them even more attractive, and which prospective tenants are most interested in these properties. The airport has latent potential to be a center for air cargo, maintenance/repair operations, aircraft conversion, and other aviation-related businesses. "Our glass is certainly more than half full. We can accommodate each and all of these industries, but we need to take some tactical steps to make sure our developable areas are suitably primed for potential companies” Redmond added.