Shawnee County pledges support for MTAA ir-service incentive program; pledge is a guarantor, not an immediate payment

Shawnee County commissioners voted 3-0 on May 5 to adopt Resolution 2025-31, a pledge of county funds to support the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority—oard—ffort called the "Get There From Here" program to attract new commercial air service to Topeka Regional Airport.

The resolution records the county—ommitment as a financial pledge and guarantor for a minimum revenue guarantee an airline would require to start service. County Counselor Rich Eckert told commissioners the resolution requires state or MTAA funds to be exhausted before the county—unds would be tapped, and that any public funds contributed by state or MTAA would be expended first and county contributions would then be matched dollar-for-dollar by other public agencies if triggered.

Curtis Sneeden of the MTAA described the program as an initiative to attract ultra-low-cost carriers for three target destinations identified in the authority—onsultant work. Eric Johnson, president and director of airports for the MTAA, said the program focuses on routes to Orlando, Phoenix and Las Vegas and on carriers that run vacation-destination service. Johnson said the authority has engaged a consultant, Valera Aviation, and has been in discussions with multiple airlines that have shown interest.

Commissioners pressed for limits and clarity on what the pledge would bind the county to. Commissioner Bill Rippon asked whether the county—ommitment applied only to the specific Get There From Here initiative or would be a general pledge that could be used for other types of service. Eckert said the pledge in the resolution applies to the MTAA program as defined by the MTAA, and if the MTAA were to add a new city under the program the resolution would remain effective for that program. Eckert said a wholly different model would require a separate resolution.

Chairman Aaron Mayes said the pledge does not represent an immediate half-million-dollar expenditure and emphasized the county is setting the money aside as a guarantor, not spending it today. "We are not spending a half a million dollars today," Mayes said during the discussion, clarifying the county would be a third-party guarantor of a contract between the MTAA and an airline rather than making a current cash outlay.

The commission moved, seconded and approved the resolution with a recorded vote of 3 to 0.

Why it matters: MTAA officials said the community already flies in significant numbers to the three target cities from other airports; the program aims to capture that demand locally by offering airlines a minimum revenue guarantee coupled with marketing. Commissioners said they supported the principle but sought clarity on the pledge—onditions and on what would trigger county payment.

Action and next steps: The resolution formalizes the county s a potential financial guarantor. MTAA officials said they are continuing outreach to the city and corporate leaders for additional pledged support and that the MTAA will proceed with airline discussions and marketing steps; the county ction does not itself obligate current spending.