Clare County airport upgrade plan, developer interest highlighted in economic‑development reports
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Summary
An airport committee update outlined MDOT lighting funding and runway and terminal work; Middle Michigan Development Corporation reported $33.9 million in local investment in 2024 and announced grants and programs to support small businesses and housing in Clare County.
An airport annual report and a regional economic‑development update were the substantive presentations at the Clare County Board meeting.
Gabe Amber, chair of the county airport committee, summarized recent maintenance and near‑term projects at the county airport, saying the airport completed crack sealing with help from the Clare County Road Commission and received MDOT funding for a lighting plan. "We received that MDOT contract for a $100,000," Amber said, adding that a contractor bid for the lighting plan was awarded at $207,275 and that the lighting work "should commence after November 1, and it should be done by Thanksgiving." He also described efforts to reopen and upgrade the terminal, seek a double‑walled fuel tank, relocate wind‑reading equipment, and pave taxiways to improve operations and revenue opportunities.
Katie Mora, president and CEO of Middle Michigan Development Corporation (MMDC), and Allison Heinrich, MMDC director of business development and attraction, delivered MMDC’s annual report and 2025 strategic plan for Clare, Isabella and Osceola counties. "Our mission is to support the economy across the communities that we serve," Mora said. Heinrich reported that MMDC tracked roughly $33,900,000 in local investment in 2024 and about $8,200,000 in grant funding brought into the region. She noted a recent $255,000 grant to reopen the Harrison hub (formerly the Harrison City Market), façade and technology grants for downtown businesses and a pending regional childcare grant application for up to $1,600,000.
Heinrich said developers have expressed interest in a listed 53‑acre Harrison property and that two Clare County manufacturers are pursuing expansions; MMDC also described housing projects, including duplex developments supported through the organization's neighborhood programs.
Board members thanked presenters and noted continued coordination with MDOT and local partners as projects move to procurement and implementation phases.