Located off of historic Route 66 and less than 40 miles from Tulsa and less than 75 miles from Oklahoma City, sits Bristow, Okla. The city recently broke ground on a new runway and support facilities, including a fuel station and a terminal building, at Jones Memorial Airport. Once completed, the airport will be a viable option for increased aviation business, including pilot training and maintenance services.
“The old runway had basically outlived its life,” said Bristow Mayor Leonard Washington.
The $3.5 million investment will increase safety and allow larger business-type aircraft to access the airport. The City of Bristow currently has multiple companies interested in moving to Bristow once the runway and support facilities are completed.
“We’re taking the challenge based on the fact that sometimes you don’t choose how you grow,” said Mayor Washington. “Sometimes businesses come in and you basically take what you got and move in that direction. So we’re definitely moving toward having a bigger aerospace industry.”
The airport is already the home of Consolidated Turbine Specialist (CTS) which specializes in the repair and overhaul of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A, PT6T and PW100 engines. The company currently employs 35 with the goal to hire at least 13 more over the next two years.
“This project is the biggest key to the aviation industry’s growth in our city, county and community,” said Johnny “Bump” Grant, president of Consolidated Turbine Specialists which is located at the airport. “As we grow, so can other related companies in Bristow and throughout Creek County. That means more jobs and a better quality of life.”
