Everglades City
by Captain Mike Merritt
Everglades City Resident and Business Owner
As a resident of Everglades City, I would like to take the time once again to express that the citizens, residents, and business owners of our town are in full support of keeping Everglades Airpark open and operating.
The County wants to build a boat ramp or park on this property in place of the Airport. There are already six locally owned and operated boat ramps within our town that provide public access to the park, while bringing in a source of income and providing economic benefits to the town as a whole. We already have six boat ramps, but we only have one airport.
Overall, the Everglades Airpark is a key part of the town’s economic infrastructure. It provides support to the boat tour operators, airboat tour operators, fishing guides, restaurants, marinas and stores, museums, hotels, golf cart rentals, fish houses (stone crabs), and others. These businesses all receive the economic benefit that this airport provides.
Not only does it contribute to all of these businesses, but it is a part of the face of Everglades City. Closure would severely hurt our town in numerous ways. Not to mention the fact that small airports will play a huge role in future travel to the state as tourism expands in our area. And when you consider the safety factor of having a small airport in a remote area such as ours, it makes sense to keep it open.
Also, take into consideration the National Park Service spending $ 45 million to $ 85 million (depending on who you ask) in order to have a Visitor Center in this town. The annual upkeep of the airport seems to be a small price to pay considering all of the benefits. According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the airport has a current annual economic impact in the state of $ 2.1 million. The NPS Visitor Center is going to increase tourism in the area, therefore increasing the profitability of the airpark. By closing the airpark prematurely, you would be limiting the ability of the town to increase its income. The need for this Airpark will only increase as all these things take place.
It is also a vital part of the system of three airports in Collier County that operate at a net profit together, and the removal of this airport would impact their income. It seems inconceivable that anyone would want to lose this valuable piece of unique infrastructure. One of the problems with the Airpark is the disconnect. These 3 airports should all be working together.
There is also the historical significance of the Everglades Airpark, which in and of itself should be a large enough reason to maintain its operation. Everglades National Park was dedicated by President Harry Truman in December of 1947. It has the designation of X01; this airport is a part of the rich, and often neglected, history of Everglades City. The opening of this airport is what put this town on the map and gave us a connection to the outside world. To close it down would be a shame.
Imagine instead a flourishing ecotour opportunity and a historical landmark to honor the history of our town. I ask that you look at the big picture of what this means to Everglades City and the State of Florida. In a time when things in this country are being dismantled, disrupted, and destroyed, I ask you to please not let that happen to Everglades Airpark.
Sincerely,
Captain Mike Merritt
Everglades City Resident and Business Owner
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