The hangars have been leased by Envoy, formerly American Eagle, since Sept. 1, 1996. Under the memorandum of understanding between the county and company, the county is responsible for required maintenance exceeding $2,500.

The existing thermal barrier in hangars 664 and 665 is “failing,” according to a memo from Sawyer Director of Operations Steve Schenden, and will be replaced with an intumescent paint barrier.

The board unanimously approved a $907,990 contract with low bidder MAG Insulation Inc., with $506,700 coming from the county’s airport fund and the remainder from its severance tax reserve. Commissioner Bill Nordeen was absent.

Marquette County Administrator Scott Erbisch said though the county has committed funding for other projects this year, there’s enough money in the two funds to cover the project expense.

Erbisch

“We know that there will be other issues with some of the insulation, but this is an immediate need,” he said.

The cost of the project includes manufacturers’ warranties totaling roughly $21,500 and $9,775 for extra contractor work and time needed to complete the project due to a later-than-anticipated start date.

“These buildings house a very important business in this community. Envoy and its predecessor have been wonderful employers,” Commissioner Stephen Adamini said. “They pay their rent and they provide a lot of jobs in this community. Unfortunately, they cannot operate in an environment that doesn’t have this fire protection.”

Envoy’s Director of Base and Contract Maintenance Steve Rodgers said his company, which provides repairs and maintenance on aircraft, has work scheduled for the next four years.

“I will say that I have never seen that, and I’ve been in my position for 17 years, so, it’s good news,” he said. “We’re in the process of expanding and growing the business, that’s why this is going to be real inconvenient, but I see a long-term commitment here.”

Rodgers said Envoy has around 200 employees at Sawyer, and he expects to hire around 20 more mechanics in the near future.

Officials said when it’s completed, revenue from the sale of the Marquette County Youth Home, which was closed last year, will go back into the airport fund.

Ryan Jarvi can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 270. His email address is rjarvi@miningjournal.net.