An airport millage renewal garnered enthusiastic support from the St. Joseph City Commission tonight and will appear on the August 2nd ballot for voter's to decide. If approved at that time, the 0.25 mill renewal will help support the vital operations of the 82-year old airfield for the next ten years.
Following a brief presentation by the city's designated representative on the Southwestern Michigan Regional Airport Authority Board, Andrew Meyer, the commission discussed the value the airport brings to the community. Mary Goff was so impressed with the progress made over the past ten years and the importance of having such a valuable asset that she offered to join members of the Friends of the Airport in traveling to neighboring communities that also make up the Airport Authority to make sure they all recognize that value as well.
Commissioner Dr. Jeff Richards cited the $30-million economic development impact that the airport has on the regional community and the outstanding collaboration exhibited by the authority members as solid reasons to everyone to throw their support behind the millage extension. He, like Goff, voiced amazement that the airfield has already been supported by the Airport Authority millage for twenty years now. He told his colleagues and the audience, "Just like our port's ability to handle ships and our community's use of cranes to build infrastructure, the airport is a vital asset."
Mayor Pro-Tem Fran Chickering says she'd have a hard time imagining what the community would be like without an essential service like the airport. She cited health care providers using the airport for time sensitive organ transplants and refueling needs of Coast Guard helicopters engaged in time critical search & rescue operations on Lake Michigan as reasons that the airfield is "absolutely essential." She also noted that the "use of the airport over time has been very beneficial to expansion there and taxpayers are certainly getting their value."
Mayor Mike Garey reminded everybody, "It's not just an airport…it's our airport, and we're the one's who see the benefits." He also cited several instances he is aware of wherein critical machine tools and materials have been expedited through airlift missions to help local manufacturers meet critical business obligations in supplying just-in-time parts deliveries and the like.
Commissioner Chris Heugel who is an officer on the Friends of the Airport Steering Committee recused himself from the discussion and left the room during the discussion and subsequent vote by the commission.
The City Commission then voted unanimously in favor of placing the millage request on the August 2, 2016 ballot. If approved by the voters, the tax bill for a homeowner with $100,000 assessed valuation would continue to pay $25 for the next ten years.
Following the meeting, Cornerstone Alliance President Rob Cleveland told reporters that the airport is critical when he talks with site selectors nationwide, inasmuch as a viable airport is a huge competitive advantage over those communities without one. There are five actual business entities based on airport property who provide goods and services to companies worldwide, and there are more than 70 aircraft based at the airport along Territorial Road in Benton Charter Township. In fact, the current complement of hangars available for lease by the airport are at 100-percent capacity, and there is a waiting list of another 8 to 10 potential owners who would fill new hangar construction if they were to be built.
