Smith: Parish ideally located for business prospects
St. Charles Parish is poised to capture some of the growth anticipated with the $826 million North Terminal complex under construction at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
“St. Charles Parish sits in a great spot to capitalize on the new vitality and energy that will surround the new facility,” said Gary Smith Sr., St. Charles Parish’s representative on the New Orleans Aviation Board (NOAB) that oversees the new airport. “New airports create focal points for synergy of new investments.”
Smith said the parish sits “geographically ready to capture much of the growth spun off the new facility.”
On Jan. 14, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, along with the NOAB, regional elected officials, business and tourism leaders, broke ground for the $826 million North Terminal complex at the airport, a project was hailed as a “crucial economic driver” for the metropolitan region.
The new North Terminal will be built on the north side of the existing airport property, creating more than 13,000 construction jobs and significant opportunities for local businesses and disadvantaged business enterprises in the region.
The 760,500 square-foot terminal will feature 30 gates, a 2,000 vehicle parking garage, a central utility plant and a ground transportation staging area.
With the airport neighboring St. Charles Parish, Smith agreed the parish stands to gain from such an extensive project.
“Companies looking to take advantage of the new facility will quickly realize the benefits of being located in St. Charles St. Charles Community Health Center … creating economic development, new jobs and more revenue for the parish,” Smith said.
Major cities in the South that became economic centers have a new, updated airport in common, he added.The airport will modernize both passenger and cargo movement, which Smith called a timely move considering the airport’s history of once being the hub to Central and South America, as well as many of the Caribbean islands.
“We are being aggressive and innovative with the new terminal,” Smith said. “We plan to utilize the existing terminal even after the new facility is open.”
The existing facility will be re-purposed to increase the economic opportunities that couldn’t be accommodated earlier, he said.
“This means new potential and possibilities for businesses and residents of the entire region,” Smith said. “Just like Atlanta, Houston, Dallas and Charlotte, this new facility can spark revitalization to our area.”
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