Clare County approves $6,500 to finish crack sealing on county airport runway after public appeals

The Clare County Board of Commissioners voted to approve $6,500 from the county general fund to complete crack sealing on the county airport’s paved runway, following multiple public comments urging the board to act.

Pilots, hangar owners and airport supporters addressed the board during public comment, saying the repairs would preserve the airport’s usefulness for emergency, business and visitor traffic and could support future economic development tied to the county’s industrial park and airport. One speaker said the county had not set aside funds for airport repairs for roughly 30 years and urged the board to approve the inexpensive, immediate fix to buy time for larger upgrades and grant applications.

The motion to approve the $6,500 expenditure was made during the meeting and received a second; a roll call recorded the motion as carried. Commissioners also discussed broader, longer-term options for the airport, including potential reconstruction of the paved runway, reorienting operations to use the longer diagonal runway, and concepts that had been discussed informally such as adding hangars, fueling, a courtesy car and possibly commercial development or solar leases on the south end of airport property.

Board members and several members of the public noted the county owns the airport and emphasized that any business plan or large capital project would require additional planning, funding and possibly state or federal grants. Speakers representing pilots and hangar owners offered to help with planning and to work with the county to seek grant funding and technical assistance. One public commenter also urged the airport board or pilots association to develop a business plan showing a path toward greater self-sufficiency; county and airport representatives responded that most small public airports operate at a net cost to government but provide local economic and emergency benefits.

The board’s action provides short-term maintenance to keep the runway serviceable while county staff and the airport board continue to pursue a more comprehensive plan and outside funding. A Bureau of Aeronautics report and a presentation were noted as forthcoming to the board at a future meeting.

Several public commenters thanked the board for taking action, and airport advocates reiterated willingness to assist with planning and seeking grants.