Taylor Willingham's Statement on McKinney Airport Expansion and Infrastructure Priorities

The Power Grid Crisis: A Wake-Up Call

Almost three years ago, in February 2021, Texas came perilously close to a full-scale electrical grid collapse. Winter Storm Uri blanketed the state in freezing temperatures, causing widespread power outages that left over 4.5 million Texans in the dark, myself included. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) narrowly avoided catastrophe by implementing rolling blackouts, but the reality is that we were 4 minutes and 37 seconds away from a total grid failure—one that would have plunged Texas into weeks, if not months, of chaos.

Had this happened, millions of Texans could have died. I want to repeat that: millions.

McKinney, like the rest of Texas, relies on the electrical grid to power everything—from homes and businesses to the most fundamental necessity of all: water. Yet, as our city debates major expenditures on projects like an airport expansion and an amphitheater, we have failed to address our most critical vulnerability: how to keep water flowing if the power grid fails.

What Has Been Done to Prevent This?

While some efforts have been made to strengthen the grid, the reality is that these measures fall short of what is needed to prevent another catastrophe. Since the 2021 crisis, Texas has implemented some reforms, such as requiring power plants to winterize and improving natural gas supply chains. However, these fixes are not enough. ERCOT still operates without a true backup connection to the national grid. The state has not built large-scale battery storage, and the grid's reliability remains vulnerable to extreme weather events and external threats.

What Are the Real Threats to the Grid?

• Cyberattack: The Texas grid is a prime target for cyberwarfare.

• Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack: A high-altitude nuclear detonation could fry the grid’s infrastructure.

• Geomagnetic Storm: A severe solar storm, like the 1859 Carrington Event, could take out the grid for months to years. NASA estimates there’s a 12% chance per decade that a solar storm of this magnitude will hit.

McKinney’s Misplaced Priorities

Despite these risks, McKinney is currently debating funding McKinney National Airport and a new amphitheater—yet we have not made meaningful investments in ensuring our water will continue to flow during a blackout.

This Is Not an “If” But a “When”

Texas is likely to experience another grid crisis—whether from extreme weather, cyberattacks, or a geomagnetic storm. If McKinney does not prepare, our residents will suffer the consequences. Without power and water, McKinney’s residents would face a crisis of survival. It is time to shift priorities from entertainment projects to critical necessities. The security of our water and power infrastructure must come first.

The question is not if the grid will fail again—it’s when. It is time to open our eyes to the real issues facing our city.

A Balanced Perspective on the Airport Expansion

Alright, I will step down from my soapbox and address both the potential benefits and concerns of the airport expansion.

Potential Benefits:

• Economic Development & Job Creation: Increased air service could attract businesses, create jobs, and boost local economic activity.

• Increased Connectivity: An expanded airport could provide more convenient travel options for residents and businesses.

• Long-Term Strategic Investment: Improved infrastructure may encourage further investments and regional growth.

Concerns and Risks:

• High Costs & Fiscal Risks: A $200 million investment is a significant commitment that could strain municipal finances.

• Community & Environmental Impact: Noise pollution, traffic congestion, and regulatory hurdles could pose challenges.

• Market & Operational Uncertainty: Demand for commercial flights in McKinney may not meet projections, leading to financial shortfalls.

We should look around this country and see if any other municipalities have encountered this problem. We can look at the Provo Municipal Airport to compare our situations:

Feature	McKinney National Airport (TKI)	Provo Utah Airport (PVU)
Location	McKinney, Texas (Collin County)	Provo, Utah (Utah County)
Type of Airport	General aviation, business, and private aviation	Commercial and general aviation
Runway	1 runway: 7,002 ft	1 main runway: 8,599 ft
Commercial Flights	No commercial airlines	Serves commercial airlines (Allegiant Air, Breeze Airways)
Primary Use	Corporate jets, private planes, and flight training	Commercial flights, general aviation, and flight training
Facilities	FBO services, corporate hangars, U.S. Customs for international flights	Passenger terminal, baggage claim, rental car services
Air Traffic Control	Control tower	Control tower
Expansion Plans	Proposed expansion for commercial services	Recent terminal expansion to handle increased airline traffic
Proximity to Major City	About 30 miles northeast of Dallas	About 45 miles south of Salt Lake City
Economic Role	Business aviation hub for North Texas	Secondary airport supporting Salt Lake City International

While Provo Municipal Airport has proven to be a strategically sound investment in terms of stimulating regional economic growth and supporting local job creation, its operational model—centered on reinvestment in infrastructure and public service mandates—means it does not generate a surplus profit. In contrast, a shift for McKinney National Airport into commercial service would require substantial capital expenditures to build the necessary passenger facilities and overcome competitive disadvantages, particularly given its proximity to larger, established hubs like DFW and Love Field. In addition, Provo is a tourist destination for many outdoor enthusiasts, but McKinney isn’t. As a result, despite Provo being a better fit for its market niche and providing considerable economic benefits to the community, its limited profitability underscores the inherent challenges of generating strong financial returns in the airport sector, a challenge that McKinney is even less likely to overcome.

In May 2023, McKinney voters rejected a $200 million bond proposition intended to fund the expansion of McKinney National Airport for commercial passenger service. Despite this, city officials have continued to pursue the project. In January 2025, the McKinney City Council approved a site plan for a new 48,000-square-foot terminal, moving the expansion plans forward. Why? Because there is no other vision other than the McKinney National Airport.

What We Focus on Becomes Our Priorities

Three years ago, on that cold and dark February night, I left my home and walked to the only building with power—the Apex Center. The news reported that people were freezing in their homes and had nowhere to go. The Apex Center, fully lit, stood as a beacon, offering the promise of warmth and safety to McKinney residents. Yet, when I arrived, the doors were locked.

A week later, I asked a supervisor why they did not open the doors. He did not know. There was no plan.

McKinney has already invested in the Apex Center, a football stadium, and now an amphitheater. I love the Apex Center. The amphitheater might be a great investment. But here we are, three years later, with no real action taken to safeguard our power and water supply—yet great progress has been made on projects that are highly profitable for a few people.

What we focus on and put our energy into will get done. The McKinney football stadium is a testament to that. History has shown that civilizations that prioritize entertainment over infrastructure eventually end. We must ensure our essential services are secure before committing to luxury developments.

Change is Coming. The Time to Shift Our Focus Is Now!

Oh, by the way, if you want to guarantee that the entire City of McKinney stays powered while the rest of Texas is without power from an EMP attack, it’s going to cost about $12–45 million. How many people and businesses would be interested in living in a city that is prepared for a worst-case scenario? If we wanted to make sure we could keep on essential power and survive for a year, it would be about $100 million—half of a commercial airport terminal.

Taylor Phillip Willingham