Dec. 18, 2000-- The city of Nephi is forcing farmers to sell their land to make way for an expanded airport. City officials say the project is necessary to pave the way for future business growth.

But critics say millions of dollars will be spent to benefit one company with one corporate jet. News Specialist John Hollenhorst has the story.

The Nephi Municipal Airport has seen better days. Like 50 years ago.

Today the runway is a web of cracks and weeds, a nightmare for the pilot of this Saberliner jet, who flies for the Mid-State Consultants engineering firm.

He says the runway is too old, too crumbly and so short the jet sometimes can take off only with enough fuel to go 30 miles to Provo.

KEVEN CHRISTOPHERSON/JET PILOT, MID-STATE CONSULTANTS: "WE'RE RIGHT ON THE EDGE ALL THE TIME. WE OPERATE LEGALLY, BUT MOST PEOPLE WOULDN'T DO IT WITH THEIR CORPORATE AIRCRAFT."

The city now plans a new runway. And to accomodate corporate jets, a much longer one.

Which puts farmer Blake Garrett right in the bulls-eye. The city has gone to court to condemn 130 of his acres, along with smaller properties owned by seven other people. Garrett says they'll take the heart of his operation.

BLAKE GARRETT/NEPHI FARMER: "AS FAR AS FARMING GOES, THAT'D PUT ME OUT OF BUSINESS, UNLESS I COULD REPLACE IT WITH SOMETHING ELSE."

Garrett is still haggling over the price.

The project would cost nearly $5 million, mostly from a federal fund generated by airport ticket fees and aviation fuel taxes.

But Mid-State Consultants would get most of the benefit, Garrett argues, because their Sabreliner is the only corporate jet that regularly uses the airport.

BLAKE GARRETT/NEPHI FARMER: "GOOD FOR THEIR BUSINESS, BUT NOT GOOD FOR MY BUSINESS."

JOHN HOLLENHORST REPORTING: "WITH SO MUCH MONEY AT STAKE, ONE LOCAL MAN SAID IT WOULD BE CHEAPER IF THEY JUST HIRED A LIMO TO PICK PEOPLE UP AT THE PROVO AIRPORT."

City officials admit, one company would primarily benefit at first. But they claim it will pave the way for future growth by attracting more businesses.

RANDY MCKNIGHT/NEPHI CITY ADMINISTRATOR: "BUT OUR HOPE, AND EVERY INDICATION IS, THAT AS WE IMPROVE THE AIRPORT, THE NUMBER AND FREQUENCY OF USE WILL DRAMATICALLY INCREASE."

The airport is used daily by light planes. It's sometimes a base for fire fighting, and an occasional stop for medical flights.

KEVEN CHRISTOPHERSON/JET PILOT, MID-STATE CONSULTANTS: "THIS AIRPORT, IF THEY DON'T DO SOMETHING QUICKLY, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CLOSE IT DOWN BECAUSE THE RUNWAY IS IN SUCH BAD SHAPE."

Necessary or not, the city has the legal power to make it happen. And when growth is on the agenda, farm land usually gets gobbled up.

Two property owners have already agreed to sell. A state ombudsmen is working with others in hopes of reaching an agreeable sales price.