Clare County accepts state grants to upgrade airport lighting, pay for crack sealing

The Clare County Board of Commissioners voted to accept two Michigan Department of Transportation awards — $250,000 for airfield lighting upgrades and $4,806 for crack sealing and pavement maintenance — for the Clare County Airport, without county matching funds.

MDOT’s Office of Aeronautics presented the agency’s economic benefit assessment for the airport before the vote. Hilary Hoose, an MDOT office representative, told commissioners: "The airport has a runway length of 2,978 feet. The airport currently has 8 based aircraft." Hoose said the MDOT analysis shows a local direct output of about $967,000 and a statewide economic output above $1,000,000; when multipliers are included, she said, "A total of over $2,200,000 of state economic impact is created by your airport."

Why it matters: the grants fund two specific projects that MDOT selected after a statewide appropriation process. The lighting project described in MDOT materials would replace nonstandard fixtures with proper bulbs, colored lenses, base pans and transformers; total project cost was described as about $353,000 before local cost reductions. County discussion and public comment framed the awards as investments intended to maintain the airport's usability and to support local businesses that benefit from visiting pilots.

Public comment pushed for acceptance. Pat Adams, who identified himself as a local resident, said he hoped commissioners "would fund it" and urged the board to approve the grants even if the county did not add operating funds: "But even if you guys choose not to, I hope you guys go ahead and approve the grants." Craig Maxfield, who said he was a nonresident pilot, drove 74 miles to urge support. Resident Kelly Harrison spoke with more reservation: "For community impact, I think most residents will see no direct benefit from the airport," she said, and urged commissioners to weigh hangar usage, restaurant dependence on airport traffic and the airport's eligibility for AIP/NPIAS funding.

MDOT and county staff details. Hoose told the board the airport has eight based aircraft (about half airworthy), that hangar rent is currently the primary operating revenue (MDOT cited an annual operating budget line of $9,600 in the materials) and that the airport submitted requests under a state capital appropriation (House Bill 747, section 1101). MDOT staff noted the airport won selection for a $250,000 lighting award and a $4,806 maintenance award; presenters said the airport committee reduced the lighting project's expected cost by roughly $98,000 through recycled materials and donated labor and that a local resident has pledged $5,000 toward the work.

Board action and next steps. The commission voted to accept both MDOT awards "without any matching county funds," as the motions stated. One commissioner voted against the motion during the roll call; Commissioners Carr and others voted in favor (roll-call names are recorded in the minutes). County staff said the grant agreements still must be executed by the county and that MDOT contracting language was pending. Several commissioners asked to see the final contract language before any county expenditures tied to those grants; staff said no county match was required and that grant terms include a five-year retention period for the airport.

Looking ahead. County staff said project bid and procurement steps for improvements over $20,000 will follow required purchasing rules. The board's acceptance allows MDOT-funded work and procurement steps to proceed once formal grant agreements are signed.