Visalia Airport Freight Demand Draws Larger Plane
Study Could Site RV Park On Airport Land
As of this week FedEx is flying regular flights out of Visalia using a much larger ATR42 plane.”This plane holds three times the freight volume than the small FedEx planes we see typically” says airport manager Mario Cifuentes.
“The new FedEx operations manager in Visalia noticed they were actually limiting the volume being shipped from Visalia of plane size” say Cifuentes. ”In recent months they went they went up to 5 flights a day compared to just 2 in the past” using the smaller plane.
The Holiday season means more freight, he says, with big firms like Visalia’s VF Corp shipping lots more clothing, brands like North Face and Wrangler, by air.
“We don’t know yet if FedEx will keep the big plane here or it will be seasonal” says Cifuentes.”We are still talking to them.”
Also at the Visalia Airport Cifuentes says they are seeking Visalia City Council approval next week (December 16) to hire a consultant to do a feasibility study on construction of a 12-acre RV park that would cater to travelers do to the regional location near the crossroads of Hwy 99 and Hwy 198.”We think there might be demand for a new RV Resort here but the feasibility study should tell us if it would pencil out.”
There is a long time KOA RV Park in Goshen but none other nearby.
The park would be located on a airport owned vacant parcel of land between Plaza Dr and the airport.
Dinuba To Get Western Dental Office
Western Dental will build a new complex in Dinuba says city manager Ed Todd. The company plans a dental clinic on El Monte (416) near Alta on city-owned land.”This will be the first orthodontia care in the community ” notes Todd. Western Dental already have locations inVisalia,Hanford,Tulare and Porterville.
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AUTOZONE GRAND OPENING * WHITE RIVER PLAZA, EARLIMART, CA
The nation*s newest AutoZone is set to open its doors at the White River Plaza located at the northeastern corner of Avenue 56 (Sierra Highway) and CA State Route 99, in Earlimart, CA.
The construction of the 7,500 square feet building is complete, the shelves are being stocked and the final details are being completed prior to the opening. The new AutoZone store will be open to the public
on Thursday, December 12, according to Lisa Whitlow, AutoZone District Manager for the Central Valley District. A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for 9 a.m. on Thursday, December 12, 2013.
“AutoZone is the country*s largest retailer of automotive aftermarket products with more than 4,800 stores across the United States.” said Michael Washam, the County’s Economic Development
Manager. “The new AutoZone will provide a clean, well-lit, well-merchandised store offering a large selection of automotive products not currently available in the Community.”
While the AutoZone is the first retailer to open at the White River Plaza, a Dollar General store is currently under construction and is scheduled to be completed by the end of January 2014. The White River
Plaza development represents the largest retail commercial development ever built within the community of Earlimart. Additional tenants planned at White River Plaza include a supermarket, national fast food restaurants, and other retail and services businesses.
“The White River Plaza has been several years in the making and the Community of Earlimart and Tulare County are thrilled to see the doors begin to open,* said Chairman Pete Vander Poel, who represents the Earlimart area on the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. *I am proud to support economic development activity that will provide jobs and resources ranging from auto parts to fresh and nutritious food for residents.”
White River Plaza is a 7.5 acre development project that was approved by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors earlier this year. This project is being developed by White River Plaza LLC, headed by Tom
Hocking and Max Bacerra, local developers and professionals. According to Max Bacerra, “We wanted to be a part of Earlimart’s progress and help create new and permanent jobs for the residents in the local area.”
Dollar General should open in February 2014. Additional new buildings and businesses are being processed and negotiated at the present time.
The White River Plaza development should see more store openings throughout the 2014 year.