The Lake Development Authority proudly celebrated the groundbreaking of the new 5,800 sq. ft. terminal building at Lake County Executive Airport (LNN), marking a significant milestone in the county’s ongoing commitment to business growth, enhanced regional transportation infrastructure and welcoming travelers to Northeast Ohio.

The modern terminal, located on Lost Nation Road in Willoughby, will replace an aging facility and is designed to better serve corporate, recreational and community aviation needs. Features will include spacious passenger waiting areas, upgraded pilot amenities, modern meeting and conference spaces and dedicated facilities for airport operations and management — all built to accommodate growing demand.

A shortage of pilots exists across Ohio and the United States, and classroom space inside the terminal will support full- and part-time students undergoing flight training, plus educate middle and high school students about the many aviation job opportunities available.

Ohio’s general aviation airports collectively support over 15,000 jobs and generate $1.85 billion in total economic output. Lake County Executive Airport alone supports dozens of based aircraft, tens of thousands of annual aircraft operations and numerous aviation-related businesses. Investing in the new terminal aligns with the projected $3.8 billion growth of Ohio’s aerospace sector through 2030 and reaffirms Lake County’s commitment to the local community, businesses and the broader aviation industry.

Soon, travelers will experience a professional and welcoming facility — one that encourages new business investment and supports the continued growth of existing enterprises. Access to air travel plays a critical role for many businesses, and general aviation airports like Lake County Executive Airport support a significant share of corporate and executive travel. Investing in the airport to ensure it continues to grow and meet the needs of local businesses is vital to the health of the regional economy.