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Capital Region International Airport outlines expansion, workforce and cargo priorities
Summary
Nicole Naul Williams, president and CEO of the Capital Region International Airport authority, told Eaton County commissioners the airport’s priorities are retaining and expanding passenger service, growing cargo and preparing land and utilities for development; she highlighted workforce partnerships with Lansing Community College and emerging electric aircraft demonstrations.
Nicole Naul Williams, president and CEO of the Capital Region International Airport authority, presented the airport’s strategic priorities to the Eaton County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 19, emphasizing passenger-service retention and expansion, cargo development and land/site readiness for new businesses.
Williams said the airport sits on a little over 2,000 acres and described its regional economic footprint as a “billion dollar economic impact.” She told the board the airport authority directly employs about 42–43 people while more than 700 workers hold badge access at airport facilities including carriers, UPS and TSA. She said UPS moves roughly 63,000,000 pounds of cargo through Lansing annually.
Williams outlined workforce and training partnerships as a near-term priority. She described Lansing Community College’s aviation technician program as a long-running feeder for aviation mechanics — “this has been in place for over 65 years” — and said about 50 students graduate from the program each year, with many receiving multiple job offers. She cited a local loan and scholarship partnership that provides up-front loan support and $5,000 scholarships to students in the airport’s aviation career institute.
On development, Williams said the authority is finishing design for utilities to bring electricity and sewer to roughly 47 acres of land south of the UPS ramp; construction is expected next year and will be coordinated with neighboring counties and utilities. She also described the airport’s foreign-trade-zone capabilities, which can help some import/export businesses defer duties and taxes.
Looking further ahead, Williams discussed emerging technologies and partnerships with manufacturers of electric aircraft and eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft). She said Beta Technologies has demoed aircraft at Lansing and the authority has secured charging infrastructure to support electric aircraft testing and demonstration.
Commissioners pressed Williams on ways to increase local passenger use. Williams urged residents to “fly Lansing first,” saying airlines expand service where passenger demand and fares make routes viable. The airport also plans to add a booking widget on its website to make fares and itineraries easier to find.
The presentation concluded with commissioners and staff thanking Williams for the update and noting opportunities to expand youth programming and community engagement at the airport.
