While almost all commercial airports in the U.S. are owned by local or state governments, Branson Airport (BBG) in Missouri holds the distinction of being the only privately owned and operated commercial service airport in the country. Developed by Branson Airport, LLC, it opened in 2009 to serve the Ozarks' popular tourism region. Unlike public airports that rely on federal grants and tax dollars, Branson Airport was built with private capital and operates more like a private business, negotiating directly with airlines for service. Another unique example is Alliance Airport (AFW) in Fort Worth, Texas, which is a public-private partnership primarily focused on cargo and industrial use. Many people also point to Teterboro (TEB) or Van Nuys (VNY), but these are actually public airports managed by private contractors. Branson remains the standout anomaly in a system where the "public utility" model is the standard, demonstrating that private enterprise can occasionally successfully navigate the complex regulatory and operational hurdles of the American aviation industry.