Gil Turner, director of aviation for the Dayton airport, and Chris Kershner of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce outlined efforts to attract more airline service and asked Beavercreek to join other local governments in funding a minimum revenue guarantee (MRG) account.

Turner described the airport as a small‑hub facility with runways up to 10,900 feet, roughly 111 employees and an operating budget of about $36 million. He highlighted terminal and concourse upgrades, tenant growth and the airport’s role supplying thousands of jobs to the region. Turner told council the airport is limited by FAA rules in what incentives it can offer directly; charging and gate‑fee waivers are possible but “we’re at bare bones.”

Kershner said the chamber runs a 501(c)(3) education and public‑improvement foundation that holds funds used only for air‑service development and that JobsOhio will match local dollars 4:1. The chamber’s immediate local goal is $600,000, which Kershner said would draw $2.4 million from JobsOhio for a $3 million fund. He asked Beavercreek to consider a $25,000 charitable contribution to that account and said the chamber needs commitments by early December to begin negotiating with carriers.

On specifics, Kershner said the group has used the fund twice: putting roughly $1 million on the table helped secure United’s Denver service (which he said is about 92% full) and a smaller, less successful effort supported Avelo Airlines. He said roughly $1 million “generally gets us a destination,” and that the chamber is targeting more westbound business destinations and some East Coast markets.

Council members praised the airport’s convenience and low parking costs, and asked about passenger effects from the federal government shutdown (Turner said traffic on some DCA flights has fallen roughly 20%) and timing. Kershner said the chamber is seeking commitments from local governments and businesses by about Dec. 1 so the fund can be used in airline negotiations before next year’s travel season.

The presenters also described private‑sector expansions at the airport — including firms such as Joby and Sierra Nevada — and concession updates the airport expects from a new operator. Turner said some terminal and concourse projects are contingent on grant funding and private investment, and that the state has provided a $2 million contribution toward a roughly $10 million Concourse B project.

Next steps: Council said it would discuss the request during upcoming budget deliberations and respond to the chamber. The presenters asked for a commitment window before year end so offers can be made to airlines.