Committee backs $150,000 seed for regional air service development fund; airport director details service and infrastructure plans

Marathon County’s Infrastructure Committee voted unanimously June 5 to support a county contribution of $150,000 as seed money for a Central Wisconsin Air Service Development Fund and to direct the county administrator to include the amount in the proposed 2026 budget. The fund is intended to seed a minimum revenue guarantee (MRG) program to attract new seasonal or scheduled air service to Central Wisconsin Airport.

Brian Greifie, identified in the meeting as airport director for Central Wisconsin Airport, presented the proposal on behalf of the joint airport board. He told the committee the MRG is a temporary, limited financial safety net to cover revenue shortfalls versus a target while a new route establishes itself. Greifie said MRGs are typically limited to a 12–24 month duration and should be funded by non‑airport sources.

Greifie outlined a funding strategy that would start with local government contributions (Marathon County and Portage County, proportionate to ownership), and add private foundations, business partners and other sources. He said the airport’s initial target is $500,000 to establish a route; $1.5 million would be a larger pot to pursue multiple routes or daily service from a legacy carrier. Greifie cited industry research (an ACRP report and consulting work) estimating that a $500,000 investment to secure one new route can support roughly $3 million in annual regional economic impact and that $1.5 million could correspond to about $9 million in annual impact.

Committee members asked about likely carriers and routes. Greifie named low‑cost carriers such as Sun Country and Breeze as top targets and said he would continue outreach to Avelo and Allegiant. Potential leisure destinations cited included Orlando, Fort Myers, Phoenix and Las Vegas; for legacy carrier hub connectivity Greifie referenced Detroit (Delta) and Dallas–Fort Worth (American) as priority targets for daily service if a larger funding package were assembled.

Greifie emphasized that the MRG is not a direct subsidy; it offsets shortfalls and is structured with performance metrics, third‑party governance and transparency. The joint airport board had unanimously approved a resolution supporting the fund in the prior month, Greifie said. He asked the committee to direct the administrator to include $150,000 in the 2026 budget so the airport and regional partners could leverage that commitment to secure additional funds from Portage County, foundations and other stakeholders.

Supervisor Seibert moved the committee support the requested $150,000; Supervisor Hartinger seconded. The committee voted unanimously to support the request and to send the recommendation forward through the budget process.

In a separate presentation later in the meeting, Greifie reported American Airlines has increased regional capacity at Central Wisconsin Airport by about 30 percent for the summer using larger 70‑seat Embraer aircraft; he also reported on general aviation developments, including a new FBO operator (Ovation), hiring and plans supported by IIJA (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) funding to construct a modern general aviation terminal and a large box hangar to accommodate larger business aircraft. Greifie asked committee members to support the airport by flying locally when possible, noting passenger demand and load factors influence airline decisions.