By Chris Sasser
Texas Transportation Institute
A few years ago, the parcel of land wedged between the Goldthwaite golf course and two city reservoirs was an empty field. Now it’s an airport with a 3,200-foot runway, nearly complete terminal and economic benefits that are already paying off for the community.
The Goldthwaite Municipal Airport officially opened for air traffic last November. According to City and Airport Manager Robert Lindsey, the airport was a long time coming for the town located in the heart of the Hill Country.
“The community and its leaders had a strong desire to have a landing strip, so TxDOT came out and helped us submit a grant application,” says Lindsey. “We were approved, and lo and behold, here we are.”
In addition to the terminal building, an 85 by 65-foot privately owned hangar is under construction. Self-service fuel is also in the works.
The neighboring golf course is also being reconfigured to tie into the airport and terminal building. Access to the golf course will be via the airport entrance, and the golf course manager will serve as the assistant airport manager. The golf association is building new cart sheds west of the terminal building.
Even though the grand opening is a month away, the airport is already generating income.
”There is increased tax revenue to the school and county as a result of private development,” says Lindsey. “And it didn’t take long for hunters to find this place. I know of two very expensive white tail hunts that were sold as a result of their ability to land at the airport.”
Other economic generators include:
- Fort Hood exercises in May and July
- LCRA renting the terminal building to bring in a group along with their board for tour of the upper basin of the river
- additional hangars and
- the creation of short-term construction jobs.
For Robert Lindsey and the City of Goldthwaite, the airport is a case of, “If you build it, they will come.”
“This airport is an economic magnet for this community,” says Lindsey. “It is the most valuable one-mile of paved road in the county.”
