Hundreds Attend Town Hall for Good Jobs And Healthy Communities
Hundreds attended a Town Hall on April 17th, focused on increasing public awareness on a development at San Bernardino International Airport that is currently moving through the approval process. Teamsters Local 1932 and a coalition of local community organizations organized the Town Hall to inform residents about the planned “Eastgate Air Cargo Logistics Center” being developed by Hillwood Enterprises. Those in attendance sent a clear message to Airport decision-makers: Residents impacted by the possible Eastgate Air Cargo Logistics Center need good jobs and healthy communities!
The San Bernardino Sun reported on the Town Hall the next day:
Pending approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, the Eastgate Air Cargo Logistics Center could be completed by the end of the year or early 2020.
Amazon, which already operates a fulfillment center at the airport, is a rumored tenant.
No matter who occupies the space, when the facility opens, as many as 12 daily flights are expected around-the-clock, with that figure increasing to 26 by 2024.
Michael Burrows, the airport’s executive director, did not return calls for comment Thursday, April 18, but said earlier this year the influx of cargo jet activity into and out of San Bernardino has been met with no resistance from local residents, business owners or environmental groups.
Scores of residents beg to differ.
“We’re seeing more and more warehouses, distribution centers, logistics coming in and yet I still see the city, and the county pockets too within the city, not thriving,” said Sally Sukdol, a resident and longtime San Bernardino County employee. “Where are we gaining anything? Our streets are so torn up already and now they’re talking about bringing in more flights, which means more trucks and traffic.
“The system, it’s benefiting the industry and these corporations,” Sukdol continued. “It’s not giving back to the community and it’s really keeping people down.”
Teamsters Local 1932 and our communities allies are working with residents to begin the process of creating community standards for all development on and near the San Bernardino International Airport. Together we can set a standard for good jobs and healthy communities.
Learn more at SBAirportCommunities.org
