Pendleton Likely to Lose Its Airport
Pendleton is at great risk of losing its airport due to lack of use.
Pendleton receives money from tax payers to keep the airport open, but not enough people and businesses are using it to continue receiving that money, and is too close (by 7 miles) to Portland's International airport to qualify as a rural airport exempt from that criteria.
Lots of agricultural companies in the area use the Pendleton airport to transport their goods to market, so closing the airport could cost jobs and cut profits.
It is believed the airport will bring more companies to the neighborhood's business park, which would help the economy, but with it possibly closing Pendleton could be in a very bad position for development and growth.