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County seeks airport manager and taps National Guard design support for airfield work
Summary
Clare County officials said a Michigan Army National Guard engineer unit surveyed the county airport to prepare design “build packets.” The board also approved a $7,000 immediate appropriation to hire an airport manager and indicated a $30,000 request for next year.
County officials told the Clare County Board of Commissioners on June 16 that a five-member team from the Michigan Army National Guard visited the county airport to perform a site survey and prepare design materials as part of the Innovative Readiness Training program.
A county speaker described the unit as an engineer battalion that conducts organic survey and design work and produces “build packets” — design documents that can be used by construction units. The packets can support projects including terminal repairs, drainage work, perimeter roads, taxiways, turf runways and design studies for a potential new runway. The county indicated the National Guard would supply labor and technical expertise; the county would be responsible for building materials and fuel costs.
The speaker said the packets are submitted to the Department of Defense for approval and, if accepted, can lead to on-site military construction at minimal labor cost to the county. He described the program as providing training for Guard units while offering needed engineering and construction design help for local infrastructure.
Separately, commissioners voted to appropriate $7,000 from airport funds for immediate use to hire an airport manager; the speaker said the intent is to increase that appropriation to $30,000 in the next fiscal year. The motion to provide $7,000 was seconded and approved by roll call.
Why this matters: The National Guard design work could accelerate airport maintenance and infrastructure projects at low labor cost to the county. Hiring an on-site manager is intended to provide day-to-day oversight of airport operations and projects.
County staff said they have been unable to secure contractors for some terminal work and see the Guard survey/design as a way to obtain design-ready documentation. The speaker said the Guard’s engineer units include both horizontal and vertical engineers — equipment operators plus carpenters, plumbers and HVAC trades — which helps the unit accomplish a wider range of tasks as part of its training.
An official noted that the county would still need to pay for materials and fuel and that any construction timelines depend on Department of Defense approval and scheduling. Commissioners requested updates as design packets move through approval and when potential construction dates are known.
Ending: County staff will proceed with the airport-manager hiring process and will update the board on the Guard design packet approvals and any resulting construction schedules.
