The Outagamie County Regional Airport is trying to make a big first impression with pilots and passengers on private flights.
Construction is going to start on a new general aviation terminal, on the south end of the airport grounds.
Shannon Full is the president of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, and she says whether people are traveling commercially, or through general aviation, the airport needs to remain competitive in a very aggressive marketplace.
The current private terminal is about 50 years old.
County Executive Tom Nelson says the new Platinum Flight Center will be thefirst “net-zero energy” aviation terminal in the country. He says that means it will only use as much energy as it generates through things like solar and geo-thermal energy.
The terminal will cost $3.8 million. Airport director Marty Lenss says they’re paying for it with user fees, and without general tax dollars.
He says they hope to open in July of next year, so they can be ready for the EAA AirVenture.