Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Airport topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rock County airport says it supports $63 million in economic activity; logged 65,000 operations in 2024
Summary
At a May 8 Rock County Board of Supervisors meeting, an airport representative reported the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport’s economic impact, operations totals, tenant businesses and outreach events, while tracing the field’s local history.
Amy Scrima delivered the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport update to the Rock County Board of Supervisors on May 8, reporting that the airport supports roughly $63,000,000 in direct and indirect economic activity and logged more than 65,000 aircraft operations in 2024.
The report outlined the airport’s local history, current operations and recent community outreach. Scrima said the airport is home to about 15 businesses, supports about 45 aviation-related jobs and hosts more than 100 based aircraft on county-owned property. She noted one local farmer cultivates approximately 300 acres of airport-owned land.
The airport’s history stretches back to early private airfields in the area; Scrima said the Rock County Board passed a resolution to establish a public-use airport in November 1941. She described the airport’s role today as a hub for charter flights, flight training, aircraft maintenance, fuel sales, aircraft sales and medevac services.
Scrima reported that the Federal Aviation Administration maintains navigational equipment, Midwest air-traffic controllers manage the surrounding airspace, and the State Bureau of Aeronautics and a contracted engineering firm help oversee major projects. The presentation listed multiple airport tenants and partners by name, including Superior Jet, Helicopter Specialties, Blackhawk Maintenance and REV Aviation.
Scrima also summarized outreach and education activities. On April 29 airport staff and partners ran an inaugural STEAM and Career Day for seventh- and eighth-graders, which Scrima said brought about 160 students to the field; partners included Blackhawk Technical College, the Commemorative Air Force, Civil Air Patrol, UW MedFlight, Women in Aviation and other local aviation groups.
“I'm thrilled to say the passion for aviation at our airport burns brighter than ever,” Scrima told supervisors near the end of her presentation.
No formal action was taken on the update; the report was presented for the board’s information only.
