ARLINGTON – A delegation from China visited the Arlington Airport recently, looking into aviation possibilities.

Mayor Barb Tolbert said the learning mission was if Arlington is interested in Chinese investors or if it wanted to make planes to send to China.

“Both” is what Tolbert and the rest of her team told them.

The mayor said aviation for the general public is just starting in China so the sky is the limit.

The Chinese delegation spent the day in Snohomish County checking out different facilities.

Along with city and airport officials, the local team also included Glasair Aviation, which is already located there, and Hiller Aviation, which is leaving Olympia to come to Arlington.

Both of the companies have Chinese investors, Tolbert said.

City educational materials say there are three Economic Development Focus areas where the city has streamlined the permit process – the airport, Hilltop and Kent Prairie. It’s also away from the congestion, regulations and taxation of King County. Schools and recreation other other benefits, they say.