The Gary/Chicago International Airport recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for its $1.5 million state-of-the-art U.S. Customs and Border Protection general aviation facility.
The facility will allow general aviation aircraft to arrive directly at the Gary airport without having to clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing in Chicago or other ports of entry first. It is located just west of the Gary Jet Center.
The center recently opened a $3 million terminal and a $5 million LEED-certified hangar.
“This is a positive step forward for the airport and the broader community, and CBP is ready to do our part to simultaneously support border security and economic prosperity,” Matthew Davies, Chicago-area port director, said on behalf of CBP.
The airport has experienced significant private and public sector investment since 2014, and a letter of intent was signed to build the facility the following year.
Improvements include the airport expanding its runway from 7,000 to 8,859 feet, which increased operations 15 percent, and B. Coleman Aviation opening a $5 million hangar and a $9 million terminal.
Planned improvements include four more B. Coleman Aviation hangars by 2020
Dignitaries attending the ceremony included Tim Fesko, chairman of the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority, Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN).