JOPLIN, Mo. – The Joplin Regional Airport's new $15 million terminal will be open to the public during an open house from 1-6 p.m. today.

A dedication ceremony, featuring remarks by U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, is slated for 2 p.m. Refreshments and tours of the new building will be available.

Webb City Economic Development Director Chuck Surface said he attended a preview of the new terminal on Friday along with members of the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce.

"What can I say but wow," Surface said. "I was very impressed. Talk about your modern, up-to-date facilities. For the business traveler from Joplin, Carthage, Webb City, Carl Junction or anywhere around here, with the cost of gas as high as it is, this has to be a viable alternative to driving. If you're going to the Kansas City airport, you don't have to drive your car up there and pay $10 or $12 a day to park it up there. You can skip the security screens up there."

According to the city of Joplin, the new terminal cost $15 million with federal money paying 90 percent of the cost.

"The City of Joplin is appreciative of Congressman Blunt who helped to secure federal funding for this community project," said Steve Stockam, airport manager. "The airport is such a vital part of the economic development of Joplin and the area."
In 2005, the State of Missouri completed a statewide evaluation of the public use airports. As part of this study it evaluated the economic benefits each airport has for its respective community.

This study shows when all economic impact measures are combined and analyzed, Joplin Regional Airport contributes 256 full-time jobs with earnings of $7.4 million. Total economic impact is estimated at $20,980,000 annually to the Joplin area.

Great Lakes Airlines will utilize the new facility with its first flights set for Monday, Sept. 8. Great Lakes will begin with two flights daily through September and move to three flights a day to Kansas City on Oct. 1, and have indicated potential growth in their schedule.
Crossland Construction was the contractor for the Terminal building.
T

he new terminal opens in conjunction with the opening of the new, taller, more modern control tower on the east side of the airport runways.

The tower cost more than $3 million with federal money paying all of that cost.
The existing terminal was built in 1948, and includes a 1970's project addition. Although the facility has served the community well in the past 50 plus years, it had several limitations to the busy traveler of today's society. The new facility will provide up-to-dates amenities for passenger access for arrival and departure; covered loading and unloading at curbside, and parking will continue to be free of charge.