MANTI — Local officials, business leaders and aviation supporters gathered Thursday evening at the Sanpete County Regional Airport for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the airport’s new name and broader role as a countywide transportation asset.

The event, facilitated by the Sanpete County Chamber of Commerce, had commentary from Chamber President Faylyn Warnick, True North Flight owner Tom Herbert, Sanpete County Commissioner and airport board member Mike Bennett, and Rep. Burgess Owens, who appeared in support of the airport and its future.

Owens pointed to the airport and the work local leaders have done to improve it as an example of what makes the Sanpete area strong. Owens is the current U.S. representative for Utah’s 4th Congressional District, although he recently announced he would not be running for another term.

Speakers framed the airport as more than a facility serving Manti and Ephraim. The airport now operates under a three-way partnership among Sanpete County, Manti and Ephraim, following a 20-year interlocal agreement that replaced the informal arrangement that had guided the airfield for decades. Under that structure, the three entities share ownership, capital costs and operational responsibilities, and the governing board includes the mayors of Manti and Ephraim and one county commissioner.

Herbert said he sees the airport as being well positioned to serve as a strategic refueling stop for private pilots traveling through the region. He also said airport supporters hope to continue improving the facility as funding and timing allow.

Bennett has previously described the airport as a county asset, and the new name reflects that wider role. Airport leaders have said the cooperative structure should make it easier to pursue funding, modernize facilities and support aviation-related business activity. Planning tied to the interlocal agreement has included runway-lighting replacement, beacon improvements, Automated Weather Observing System upgrades and possible land acquisition if expansion opportunities arise. The airport has also received about $150,000 annually in FAA entitlement funds, according to the background documents.

Kevin Christensen of Sanpete County Travel said the change to Sanpete County Regional Airport reflects a broader commitment to transportation access and long-term economic development in central Utah.

“The transition from Manti-Ephraim Airport to Sanpete County Regional Airport reflects our commitment to strengthening transportation access in central Utah and ensuring our communities remain connected and competitive,” Christensen told the Messenger. “In a rural area without direct interstate access, regional aviation plays a vital role in supporting commerce, agriculture, emergency response, and private industry. By broadening the airport’s regional focus, we are investing in economic growth, public safety, and long-term mobility. This partnership represents our dedication to building infrastructure that supports local businesses while creating new opportunities for residents and future generations.”

The airport’s roots go back to 1940, when Snow College and local leaders helped establish a landing field between Manti and Ephraim during a wartime pilot-training push. Over time, the airfield evolved from a locally-built training strip into a long-running general aviation facility jointly supported by the two cities. Sanpete County formally joined that partnership in 2025, marking one of the biggest structural changes in the airport’s history and helping shift its identity toward a regional transportation and economic resource.