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Redevelopment commission backs recommendation to fund high-school aircraft maintenance program
Summary
The Marshall County Redevelopment Commission voted June 16 to recommend a $50,000 community investment to support a high-school aircraft maintenance program run by Alpha Flight and the North Central Career and Technical Education Cooperative; council approval and a 2027 budget allocation are required before funds are paid.
The Marshall County Redevelopment Commission voted June 16 to recommend a $50,000 community investment to start the second year of a high-school aircraft maintenance program run in partnership by Alpha Flight and the North Central Career and Technical Education Cooperative.
Presenters Jody and Jake described the request to the commission, saying the funds would support a second-year curriculum and that program start-up timing meant the money would not be needed until January 2027 at the earliest. "We were requesting the 50,000 for our aircraft maintenance program between Alpha Flight and the North Central Career and Technical Education Cooperative," Jake told the commission.
Jake said the program is intended to create a local pipeline of trained aircraft mechanics — workers who, unlike pilots, are more likely to stay in the community — and to supply mechanics for Malloy if that manufacturer locates production or training facilities locally. He added that the presenters were coordinating with partners including IvyTech and a regional CTE director and that a fuller airport-plan presentation will return to the commission next month.
Commissioners discussed the relationship between the maintenance track and broader airport and manufacturing plans, and noted that the commission’s recommendation must still go to the city council for final approval. One commissioner moved "to accept what they've been presented and knowing that we would look at 2027 to do that"; the motion was seconded and carried with members voicing assent.
The commission also approved routine minutes, invoices and communications during the meeting. Presenters said IvyTech will continue to help develop the program’s syllabus and that specific facility and siting decisions for Malloy remain to be determined.
Next steps: the commission’s approval will be forwarded to the city council for consideration and any appropriation would be placed in the 2027 spending plan, per presenters’ timeline.
