To the north, at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, a new, 288,000-square-foot air cargo facility is in the works, and could be finished in late 2024 if given final approval. Gary Chicago International Airport in Indiana is looking to expand air cargo service by increasing its staging area so it can accommodate more large aircraft, though there are no plans to add another runway, an airport spokesman said. But Ahern said he sees enough demand to go around. Opponents point to the prevalence of other cargo airports nearby. “So I decided, knowing the growth of the industrial sector down in Will County, ‘You know, a third airport as a cargo airport makes a lot of sense.’” “(Rockford is) an international success, is the best way to put it,” Ahern said. But as the logistics in the area matured and the recession receded, the airport boomed, he said. Opened during the Great Recession, the building sat vacant for several years as he struggled to recruit air cargo tenants, and ultimately the airport purchased the property. And Illinois’ central location in the United States makes it a draw for overseas companies that want products made in America or need to ship expensive items such as pharmaceuticals, electronics or machinery parts.Īhern pointed to the growth of Chicago Rockford International Airport, where he helped develop a cargo center. Major retailers such as Amazon have warehouses nearby.
Will County’s rail lines, intermodal facilities and highways make it a logical choice for a cargo airport, he said.
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