Stark County commissioners voted Sept. 4 to recommend $4 million in county funds for Dickinson Regional Airport improvements, with a two-part payment plan: $1.75 million at the start of construction no earlier than Jan. 1, 2026, and $2.25 million payable at project completion, expected in 2027. The recommendation will be placed on the county’s formal budget agenda on Sept. 16 for final adoption.

Commissioners discussed cost, regional benefits and timing before the vote. “It’s an investment in the future,” Commissioner Marsh said as commissioners weighed whether the county should spread the payment over two years. Commissioner White said the airport is important to travelers and economic connections in the area and supported the split-payment approach so the county could plan the outlay.

Commissioners and staff said the county’s contribution is intended to leverage larger state investment and to maintain the airport’s capacity for additional flights and a second gate. Commissioners pressed for a payment structure that would avoid “bankrolling” early construction costs: one commissioner suggested paying in arrears once the airport has a set amount of work completed.

The motion approved by a roll call vote directs county staff to include the $1.75 million payment conditional on commencement of construction (or no earlier than Jan. 1, 2026) and to withhold the $2.25 million until the project is completed, with the commission to address any completion delays when they arise. The vote recorded Commissioners White, Marsh, Franschuck, Claris and Chair Messer as voting in favor.

The airport project’s proponents said the facility upgrade is expected to be a long-term asset; county officials noted the county’s payment is one element of a larger funding package that includes state funds. The commission’s action is a recommendation to the budget meeting; final disbursement will depend on the formal 2026 county budget approval and any completion milestone set by the commission.

Next steps: county staff will place the recommendation on the Sept. 16 budget agenda and prepare language tying the second payment to project completion. If the airport does not meet the stated completion target in 2027, commissioners said they will revisit timing and payment conditions.