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YOAKUM – Representatives from Victoria and four other area cities met with state aviation officials Wednesday to discuss the present and future of the area’s airports.

In addition to the Victoria Regional Airport, airports in Cuero, Gonzales, Hallettsville and Yoakum were examined. The recently renovated air traffic control tower in Victoria was one of the highlighted projects.

A tower manager is expected to be on board by June 2, followed by five full-time air traffic controllers, said Larry Blackwell, airport manager.

“We hope to have it up and running by the first part of July. We hope it will increase operations. It’s the last piece of the puzzle,” said Blackwell, noting that two years ago a fire station was built on site.

Blackwell also said that the airport’s commercial service has improved some.

“The struggle has always been passenger enplanements,” he said. “It’s been an uphill battle. With the new flight schedule it has increased a little bit. It is vital we keep our air service and grow it as we can.”

Work is also under way to attract businesses to the airport complex.

“We have 1,776 acres and the county is putting a lot into beautification,” said Blackwell. “We have everything we need to attract industry to the airport.”

Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division officials saw a lot to like at the Victoria facility.

“Victoria Regional Airport is an important airport in our system,” said Megan Caffall, TxDOT airport planner. “It’s a very attractive airport.”

Blackwell also reported that the airport is working with the Texas Air National Guard on hurricane preparedness, especially evacuations from hospitals and nursing homes.

In Hallettsville, city manager Tom Donnelly reported that planning is under way for construction of seven new T-hangers and a 70-ft. by 70-ft. hanger.

Daniel Benson, an airport planner with the state, expressed concern about the lights from the convenience store at one end and the rodeo arena at the other end of the Yoakum Municipal Airport

“It is very distracting with those bright lights, creating a hazard for people trying to land at night,” he said.

Caffall also noted that the runways in Yoakum could “use a little rehab.”

“It’s a shame when you see great markings on less than great pavement. Pavement is the lifeblood of the airport,” she said. “Overall, it’s a functional airport, but the pavement is looking a little weary.”

At Gonzales Municipal Airport, planning is under way to try to get a fuel system at the airport, reported city manager David Huseman.

Cuero’s airport is under consideration for installation of medium intensity lighting, Caffall reported.

During the meeting Caffall also reviewed funding programs available to airports. These include the routine airport maintenance program (RAMP) grants, the terminal building program, the air traffic control tower program, and the automated weather observation system.

TxDOT offers other funding programs dealing with safety, planning and lighting.

Sonny Long is a reporter for the Victoria Advocate. He can be reached at 361-580-6585, by e-mail at slong@vicad.com, or comment on this story at VictoriaAdvocate.com.