San Bernardino International Airport Receives Prestigious Award from the EPA
Recognized for the Successful Reuse and Revitalization of the Former Norton Air Force Base
San Bernardino and adjacent cities sustained a major economic and cultural shift in 1994 when the Norton Air Force Base (NAFB) closed under the federal Base Realignment and Closure Act. At the time, local government leaders lamented the loss of military and civilian jobs, shrinking salaries, plummeting home values, and a diminished population and tax base for the overall region.
Rather than letting this major development negatively impact and define the region, these same leaders had the courage to choose a new path, working through the drastic change to propel the community forward.
Thirty years later, that hard work was acknowledged as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized the now-named San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) for its leadership in transforming the former NAFB into a global logistics complex focused on environmental and economic stewardship.
SBD staff joined with EPA representatives, guests from the U.S. Air Force and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, and local leaders to receive the hard-earned recognition at a special event in September 2024.
“This year’s winners demonstrate the importance of strong partnerships in transforming contaminated federal facilities into community assets,” said Cliff Villa, EPA’s Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Office of Land and Emergency Management, in a June 5 press release.
Today’s workforce on the former base property has grown to over 18,000 people, exceeding the number and diversity of careers when the property was an operating military base. National and global companies calling the former base home include Amazon, FedEx, Kohl’s, Mattel, Pep Boys, Stater Brothers, and UPS. Local employers include general aviation companies, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) businesses, San Bernardino County Sheriff aviation , and the U.S. Forest Service, among others.
Notably, SBD began commercial airline service in 2022, with Breeze Airways the launch carrier, and the Transportation Security Administration and San Bernardino Police Department providing federally required passenger screening and security services, respectively.
“Transforming San Bernardino International Airport from the former Norton Air Force Base has been instrumental in revitalizing the local economy, attracting businesses, and creating job opportunities for the community,” said Frank J. Navarro, SBD’s Commission President, and Mayor of the City of Colton. “With over 18,000 direct jobs replaced, $1.4 billion in private investment, and $4.8 billion in economic output, the airport’s contributions are having a profound and positive impact in our community and on our neighbors’ quality of life.”
The former NAFB joins the ranks of five other former bases in the Air Force Civil Engineer Center Base Realignment and Closure portfolio to be recognized by the EPA for transitioning the military site for community and commercial use.
