http://www.business4springfield.com/expedia-inc-to-lease-former-springfield-branson-national-airport-terminal-building/ Online travel company Expedia, Inc. has signed a lease to occupy the former terminal building at the Springfield-Branson National Airport. The company will begin to occupy the building beginning in fall 2010 after renovating the northern portion of the facility. “The airport facility provides us a unique space and meets the needs of our employees and our business,” said Mark Nagle, VP of real estate, Expedia. “This space affords us flexibility to grow in the future, and occupying a former airport terminal is a great fit with our passion for serving travelers.” Expedia worked with the Springfield Business Development Corporation and Springfield’s Partnership for Economic Development over the past six months to evaluate a number of real estate options in the area suitable for its operation. In a closed session late Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 23), the Springfield-Branson National Airport board approved the lease of 59,000 square feet to the company. “We are pleased to attract a company of Expedia’s caliber to the former terminal,” says Dr. Robert Spence, chairman of the airport board. “Leasing the building provides the airport additional non-aviation related funding that will help us keep cost down for the airlines.” “This is the result of a true collaborative effort between several organizations in the community,” says John Wanamaker, president of the board of the Springfield Business Development Corporation, the economic development subsidiary of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. “This is great news for Springfield and it says a lot about our community and its viability for future growth.” The state of Missouri has also assisted the company in their efforts to secure a location in Springfield. “Expedia has shown their confidence in Missouri’s business climate and we value their involvement in the local community,” says David Kerr, director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:32:54 GMT en-us Copyright 2010 Springfield Business Development Corporation