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St. Cloud Sky Central Airport authority outlines growth, warns of long‑term revenue pressure
Summary
Airport authority leaders told the Stearns County board that operations and passenger parking revenue are up, new capital projects and an AMT school are underway, and that inflation and fixed local funding streams (levy and sales‑tax) present ongoing fiscal challenges.
Leaders of the St. Cloud Sky Central Airport updated the Stearns County Board on April 21 on airport operations, infrastructure projects and financial challenges tied to rising costs and fixed funding streams.
Bill Towel, airport director, told commissioners the airport recorded about 40,500 operations (takeoffs and landings) in 2025, supports 104 based aircraft and roughly 395 local jobs plus about 80 at the Army National Guard support facility. The airport authority reported a prior economic impact study pegging regional economic output at about $50 million and said a new study is underway. "We have Allegiant, Sun Country, the military, medical and corporate traffic using the airport," Towel said.
Officials highlighted capital improvements funded in part by federal and state grants — a multi‑million dollar ILS and approach lighting replacement, air traffic control radio upgrades, and drainage work — and the recently formed authority’s efforts to diversify revenue. Parking revenue rose from about $214,000 in 2023 to $306,000 in 2025 after the authority introduced paid parking and escalators were added to lease agreements.
The airport also described workforce and operating pressures: authority leaders said they need to maintain roughly $2 million in cash reserves to support grant drawdowns and that fixed local contributions lose purchasing power over time. The city of St. Cloud committed $620,000 annually toward operations for a 10‑year period, and a $200,000 local option sales tax contributes to capital; officials noted the real value of those amounts declines with inflation.
Board members pressed airport leaders about the authority’s levy and whether a cap or escalator is appropriate; airport representatives said the board is considering a rate‑based cap that would grow modestly over time and that legal counsel is reviewing language to preserve ability to respond to catastrophic needs while guarding against open‑ended levies.
Officials also reported progress on a new AMT (airframe and powerplant mechanic) technical program and hanger development that generate incremental lease revenue, and said federal grants have covered the majority of recent capital work. "Raising revenue in a fair manner after safety is our number‑one priority," a board representative for the authority said.
What happens next: commissioners requested additional detail on levy scenarios, county participation, and the authority’s long‑range financial plan; airport staff said they will continue community outreach with the county and partner jurisdictions.
