From the Chair
On behalf of the England Authority Commissioners, welcome to England Airpark and Central Louisiana. The story of England’s success is a story of a community that is working together to solve difficult problems in a visionary manner. Join the team! The best is yet to come!
Sam Spurgeon – Chair
From the England Airpark Staff
Welcome to America’s leading rural base reuse effort. From housing to health care, education to exquisite cuisine, championship golf to commercial aviation, England Airpark has it all; Great infrastructure, incentives and people. Give us a call. England is ready to do business with you!
About England Airpark
England Industrial Airpark and Community, located northwest of Alexandria, Louisiana, traces its beginnings back to 1939, when it served as an emergency airstrip for Esler Field, the regional airport serving the Central Louisiana area. However, as the possibility of war in Europe increased, the Army Air Corps leased the facility from the City of Alexandria. The airfield was named Alexandria Army Air Base.
Early in 1946, the base was placed in a standby status eventually being turned over to the City of Alexandria for use as a municipal airport. With the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, the base was reactivated as Alexandria Air Force Base in 1950. In June 1955, the base was officially named England Air Force Base in honor of Lt. Col. John B. England, who had been commander of the 389th Bomber Squadron at the base.
The facility was once again closed by the Department of Defense on December 15, 1992, and began its transition to civilian reuse as England Industrial Airpark and Community.
Working together, the Central Louisiana community has redeveloped the former military facility into a vibrant multi-modal commerce center and community. Located onsite are an international airport, numerous office and warehouse facilities, golf course, hotel and restaurant, day-care center, retirement community, and general housing. With robust air connections, interstate highway connectivity, onsite rail and water access, England Airpark can meet your most demanding transportation needs. An outstanding workforce, great incentives and Foreign Trade Zone availability complete the development package.
Join us as we continue to develop Louisiana’s Transportation and Business Center set in an environment, which promotes a great quality of life.
Mission of the England Authority
It is the mission of the England Authority to secure title to all real and personal property at the former England Air Force Base to develop economic activity to replace that generated by the former Air Base.
WHO: The "England Authority" aka England Economic and Industrial Development District is an independent political subdivision of the State of Louisiana.
WHAT: England Airpark is composed of 3600 acres. Located at England Airpark is Alexandria International Airport (AEX). A mixed use development, England Airpark has over 300 units of housing, 1.5 million square feet of commercial space. Aviation, transportation, manufacturing, education and health care opportunities exist on site.
WHEN: England Air Force Base closed in December 1992. The England Authority became the operator of the facility at that time.
WHERE: England Airpark is located adjacent to the City of Alexandria in Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Located in the middle of the state, England Airpark is Louisiana's transportation and business center.
WHY: The England Authority was created to take over and redevelop the closing England Air Force Base. The military facility contributed approximately $100 million annually to the local economy. England AFB employed 3,000 military and 681 civilian personnel.
RESULTS: England Airpark contains:
60 businesses employing 2,000 persons
Over 300 occupied housing units
1.1 million sq. ft. of space leased
Alexandria International Airport
50,000 air operations per year
340,000 passengers per year
Three commercial airlines