The Southwest Michigan Regional Airport is seeking the renewal of its millage this year.
Airport Director Christopher Beckman tells us the millage was first approved by voters in 2006 and is up for renewal every ten years. It’s 0.1 mill, or $10 for every $100,000 of taxable value on a property, and it’s vital to the airport’s operations.
“It’s very important to us,” Beckman said. “It makes up a huge portion of our budget. It allows us to maintain our vehicles, pay our staff, and just keep things operating It allows us to maintain our vehicles, pay our staff, and just keep things operating here effectively and efficiently as we can.
Beckman says the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport brings value and economic opportunity to the entire region, so he asks for support.
“It gives this region opportunity for growth. A lot of companies, when they look to build somewhere, anything like that, they look for, ‘Hey, how can we get out to people? What do we need?’ And a lot of times, that involves being near an airport. So just in terms of economical growth, the airport is vital for local economies.”
Beckman says whether it’s a large company flying in executives, an economic development consultant scoping out the area, or just small plane pilots lookin for a place to stop to eat, the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport makes the area a destination.
The millage is paid by property owners in Benton Harbor and Benton Township, St. Joseph and St. Joseph Township, Lincoln Township, and Royalton Township.
The Benton Township Board of Trustees voted this week to allow it on the ballot in August. The other affected municipalities will be asked to do the same in the coming weeks.
