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Foreign-trade zone activity rises; staff reports new operator approvals and outreach
Summary
The airport's FTZ coordinator reported growth in FTZ sites and operators, several pending applications, website and mapping updates, and operator outreach; staff is updating annual reporting and business guidance materials.
Chandra reported an increase in foreign-trade zone activity, saying the FTZ now has 62 sites and 49 operators as of July 9, and that two site approvals were added that day. Staff characterized the change as roughly 32% growth since Chandra began work and said the office is working with 19 potential operators and seven pending applications under review by the national FTZ board.
Staff said some previously approved sites remain inactive and that one case from 2022 may never activate because the operator has changed business models. The coordinator said the airport is working with city planning to update older maps that have not been revised in several decades and is preparing updated website text and promotional materials to make the application process clearer.
Chandra said staff addressed 19 observations from the annual FTZ review and has submitted corrected operator reports. Staff also described presentations and seminars that drew operator interest; five attendees from one seminar indicated interest in applying.
Board members suggested housing clearer guidance and tutorial materials on the airport website to help prospective operators follow application steps. Staff said they are updating application forms and the operator agreement language (with legal review) to reflect current practices.
