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The Livingston Parish airport project began originally in 2003 as the parish’s leadership had the vision of working toward a potential airport site and development plan. Legislative approval was secured for original funding for a site study, which was conducted by the professional aviation planner who helped to develop Louisiana Regional Airport in Gonzales.
By 2011, the state had funded a master layout plan that reviewed all FAA requirements, including the consideration of possible alternate sites, to determine that the property south of I-12 near the Satsuma Exit was the most suitable location. At that time, the most suitable property was owned by the Weyerhaeuser Company.
By 2015, Businessman Garry Lewis had purchased the property and entertained requests from the parish to donate 242 acres for the purpose of developing the airport. The council created the Livingston Parish Airport District in 2016 and commissioned its members with the task of securing the property and undertaking the process of constructing an airport in Livingston Parish.
Livingston is the fastest growing parish in the state, yet it is 1 of only 2 parishes statewide WITHOUT an airport. The Louisiana Airports Economic Impact study released by the DOTD shows that on average across the state of Louisiana, general aviation airports create 420 jobs, $14.1 million in payroll, and $42.1 million in total economic activity. Projected from the numbers for parishes with a similar population as Livingston Parish, it appears that 150 jobs, $4.8 million in payroll and $15 million in total economic activity per year is a reasonable approximation for the economic benefits of the proposed Livingston Executive Airport.
Business aircraft travel to and from local airports across the country every day, bringing thousands of marketing, professional, technical, service and support staffers efficiently and quickly to their destination. These individuals in turn spend money in the local economy, stay in local hotels and eat at nearby restaurants and create what’s known as the economic “multiplier effect” in the area.
The ability to move people and goods quickly to and from airports has tangible benefits for everyone, not just air travelers. Overnight mail and package delivery, the transport of supplies to locations that would not otherwise have that access, all would not be possible without an airport nearby.
Airports help keep existing employers in a community and attract new ones to a region because companies value the transportation and competitive business advantages offered by general aviation airports. Business developers look for ready access to air transportation when they make decisions on where to locate new businesses and facilities. The airport will also provide significant improvements to police protection, to the health and safety of our communities and to the greater welfare of the residents.
Emergency medical services and air ambulance operators provide critically injured people with timely access to specialized medical treatment through airlift operations, organ transports and more. Volunteer “Angel Flights” regularly transport sick patients to distant medical facilities for treatment.
Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies use airplanes and helicopters to search, apprehend and transport criminals, protect borders, and provide aerial security. LDWF has indicated it would relocate one of its monitoring/rescue planes to LEA. This agency would also assist with fire fighting operations, such as when wildfires broke out last summer.
More than 390 general aviation airports have been designated by the federal government to provide critical services, including national security and border control. Some of the U.S. agencies supported include the Post Office, Forest Service, Marshals Service, and Customs and Border Protection.
https://www.brproud.com/news/local-news/livingston-parish/construction-on-new-airport-in-livingston-parish-to-start-in-2025-heres-what-you-need-to-know
https://www.wbrz.com/news/officials-break-ground-on-new-livingston-parish-airport
