OGDENSBURG, N.Y. -- Imagine being sorrounded by sun and sand, away from the bitterly cold North Country winter: that's what the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority along with Allegiant Air are trying to offer.
"There's a chance to get out of the North Country inexpensively for a vacation in the south, without having to worry about getting down Route 81 or through the snow melt," said Ogdensburg Bridge And Port Authority CFO Fred Morrill.
The first step is to expand the airport's runway.
Ogdensburg International Airport officials have received more than $7.5 million in federal funding for renovations.
Once the runway is expanded, Allegiant Air can use bigger planes and fly passengers directly to popular destinations.
"There will be direct flights offered from Ogdensburg to Myrtle Beach and Ogdensburg to Orlando Sanford," says Ogdensburg Bridge And Port Authority Executive Director Wade Davis.
Officials expect the runway expansion to bring 38,000 new Canadian tourists to the North Country.
"It's going to be a huge economic impact for the region. Not to mention the hotels, establishments [and] the restaurants. This is big news for Ogdensburg," said Davis.
But it will be some time before the flights take off. The project is scheduled to be finished in November 2016.