Airglades International Airport (AIA) in Hendry County, Florida, is moving forward with its initiative to develop a state-of-the-art airport and logistics facility to handle perishable goods imported primarily from Latin America and distributed throughout the United States.

Earlier this year, AIA hired Goldman Sachs to assist with financing.

The project is “approaching the most important phase, with Goldman Sachs acting as financial advisor in identifying potential developers,” Santiago Gómez de la Torre, president of AIA, told Infralogic. London-based law firm Clyde & Co is acting as legal advisor for the project, he added.

“The development goes beyond the traditional airport functions and is evolving into a comprehensive logistics center, a so-called ‘logistics city’, with a focus on operational efficiency,” said Gómez de la Torre.

Airglades is working with several Florida ports to develop a “dry port concept that promotes better logistics coordination within the region,” the CEO said.

He attributes the project’s advancement to “careful planning and ongoing collaboration” with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as well as airlines, importers, freight forwarders and cargo handlers who have worked hand in hand with the company to ensure compliance and alignment with customer requirements.

AIA appointed Goldman Sachs-backed Avports as the airport operator in 2019.

In 2019, the FAA approved Hendry County Airglades Airport’s application to join the national Airport Investment Partnership Program (AIPP).

The operational Luis Muñoz Marín Airport in Puerto Rico is the only other facility approved under the program.

Goldman Sachs declined to comment. Clyde & Co did not respond to requests for comment in time for publication.