Save Our Airport

Help pay for airport, city urges county
Posted By John Paul Zronik
http://www.theexpositor.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=919153&auth=John+Paul+Zronik

City Coun. Greg Martin says it’s about time Brant County paid its fair share of expenses toward the upkeep of Brantford Municipal Airport.

“We’re not getting any funding from the county even though they enjoy the benefits of having the airport in the community,” Martin said Tuesday. “They haven’t done anything except collect taxes. It would be nice if they kicked in.”

During a presentation to county council last week, Martin requested the county provide $600,000 in funding for airport capital projects during the next two years. Half of the money would be paid this year and the remainder in 2009.

The county funds would be in addition to $1.97 million the city has agreed to pay for capital upgrades at the airport this year.

“It’s a very reasonable request,” Martin said. “There’s businesses in the county that use the airport.”

County politicians will consider the funding request at a corporate development committee meeting next month.

Operating the Brantford Municipal Airport is a city responsibility, but the facility is located within the borders of Brant County. Because of its location, Martin said any municipal taxes paid on the airport property go into county coffers.

Martin said the county’s $600,000 would be used to construct new T-hangars, the aviation equivalent of single-car garages, which are needed because the airport is running out of space to house airplanes. The city’s $1.97 million will pay for runway improvements.

About 15 years ago, federal grants that helped pay for airport operations stopped flowing and the city was left to contribute capital to keep the facility running. Martin said Brantford has contributed as much as $90,000 a year to keep the airport open in recent years and the county has contributed nothing.

“Once the federal grants dried up, the airport was no longer able to sustain itself,” he said.

If the county does decide to provide funding, Martin said a name change for the airport may be considered, from the current Brantford Municipal Airport to the Brantford and District Regional Airport.