The Port of Brookings Harbor might get into the airport business.

Port commissioners have begun discussing taking over operation of the Brookings Airport from Curry County, which currently manages the facility.

“It would be a natural for the Port to handle,” said Commissioner Jim Relaford.

He has talked about it with Curry County Commissioner George Rhodes. Brookings City Manager Gary Milliman sid the city is considering building a shop at the airport.

Although no decisions have been made, and commissioners emphasize the issue is at a preliminary stage, plenty of time was spent on the matter Tuesday during the commissioners’ board meeting.

“Our mission statement says we are to develop the full economic potential of our district,” Relaford said. “This is an opportunity.”

He emphasizes the airport has about 40 vacant acres that are zoned for industrial use – the last such land in southern Curry County. He believes that property could be leased to small companies for light industrial activity, possibly becoming a light industrial park.

It could turn a profit for the Port, Relaford said.

“It wouldn’t hurt us to consider what we can do off Lower Harbor Road,” he said, referring to the Port’s boat basin, retail center and administrative office site. “I think it’s worth looking at.”

However, Commissioner Kathy Lindley Hall was less enthusiastic. She questioned what problems the county has encountered with the airport, including possible trouble with the runway.

“This has to be about the fifth time the Port has been approached about managing the airport,” Lindley Hall said. “My reaction is, what issues does the airport have?”

Port Executive Director Ted Fitzgerald agreed airport management would be possible, saying, “I think we could handle it.”

But he added, “I agree with you, Kathy. We need a whole lot more information.”

Milliman said the county, which owns the airport, is losing about $20,000 annually on its operation, according to talks he has had with Rhodes. However, he added the airport “has a lot of potential for development as an economic activity generator.”

During an interview, Relaford said ports have a different mandate than entities such as county government. Ports are expected to make a profit while government is not allowed to.

“It means we can take a different look at an enterprise,” he said. “We don’t look at it as a break even. We look at it as making a profit. I’m sure we can do that.”

The Port of Brookings Harbor, whose district stretches from the California border to Pistol River, must approach business with an entrepreneurial spirit, Relaford said.

The Port of Portland runs and owns Portland International Airport, he said as an example.

The Port of Coos Bay managed its local airport from 1999 to 2003 before a special district levy was passed to finance a separate management agency. Port Chief Financial Officer Donna Nichols said the Port didn’t lose money during its management years, but wasn’t trying to make a profit, either.

“We didn’t do it to make money,” she said. “We did it to benefit the airport.”

She said the airport was profitable under Port management.

“For the Port, it was a great learning experience,” Nichols said.