The Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport (OWB) became a foreign trade zone (FTZ) earlier this week after working to obtain the designation since January. They also recently hosted a successful Young Eagles Day, where over 60 youngsters between the ages of 9-17 could experience flying, most for the first time. 

According to the International Trade Administration, foreign trade zones (FTZ) are designated sites where special customs procedures may be used. The procedures allow domestic activity involving foreign items to transpire before formal customs entry.

Essentially, the designation would offset customs advantages available to overseas producers who compete with producers in the U.S. OWB Director Tristan Durbin said the designation could entice pharmaceutical and electronic companies, along with several other large companies, to store materials in the area, qualifying for specific tax advantage. 

“We are now an active trade zone, and we’re excited about it,” Durbin said. “This allows us to move forward with marketing the airport and community and to capitalize on our developable areas.”

In other aviation news, OWB hosted its annual Young Eagles Event, which introduces kids to all things flying. As part of the event, several flew in an airplane for the first time. 

“We try to host this as often as possible,” Durbin said. “We partner with the Hancock County Experimental Aircraft Association to host it and use the event to promote aviation to the youth in the community. It’s always nice seeing the smile on their faces when they experience flying for the first time.”

Durbin said the event brings equally as much joy to the parents, who enjoy seeing their kids’ faces light up. 

The event is completely free to families. OWB provides the fuel and partners with regional pilots to offer the flights. 

“For some of these kids, it’s their first time in an airport or around a plane,” he said. “It’s another excellent opportunity for us to interact with the community; any chance we get to do that, we’re going to take advantage of it.”

OWB is also excited to host the Kentuckians for Better Transportation (KBT) quarterly aviation committee meeting. According to its website, the KBT exists to educate and advocate for a safe and sustainable multi-modal transportation network that provides mobility across the Commonwealth for economic growth and improved quality of life. 

The meeting is slated for August 13 at the airport. 

“It’s another day where we can speak on behalf of our airport and community and present our capabilities to our peers in the aviation world. We want to show off all that we have to offer here.”

Published on July 18, 2024