SAWYER -- Keeping a small airport going in the Upper Peninsula has never been easy. The former Marquette County Airport in Negaunee Township lost over $300,000 in 1999, its final year of operation. Today, Sawyer International Airport in Gwinn faces the same challenges.
In 2011, Sawyer ran a budget deficit of $400,000. To make up for the short fall, Marquette County used money it made from selling assets when Sawyer converted from an Air Force base to commercial airport.
When buildings were sold, part of the proceeds went into a fund to pay for airport operations. That fund is now running out, and officials say it could be finished as soon as 2013.
"We're looking at some, you know, whether or how we would continue to fund the airport once that money is gone." said Debbie Pellow, County Chairperson.
One option is to use Marquette County tax payer dollars from the county's general fund, as was previously done when the old airport ran a deficit. But, County Administrator Scott Erbisch says he's looking at other options.
"We always want to try to develop new efficiencies first. Look at those operational efficiencies and hopefully look at new tenants, that's our first way of trying to develop it," said Erbisch.
Officials are also relying on revenue generated by the use of airport parking lots, fees for runway use, and hangar occupation. If that money isn't enough though, officials say Marquette County residents will not see a tax increase, and the County Board will pursue opportunities to cut costs and fund the airport under the current budget.
Chairperson Pellow says funding the airport is on the County Board's list of top five priorities.
She expects the board will find a funding solution as 2013 approaches.
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