Marquette County Commissioner Bill Nordeen, right, addresses the public on the board’s decison to renew Boreal Aviation Inc. as its fixed base operator service provider at Monday’s special board meeting. Commissioner Karen Alholm looks on. (Journal photo by Trinity Carey)

MARQUETTE — Boreal Aviation Inc. was named the future fixed base operator for Sawyer International Airport at a special meeting held Monday evening by the Marquette County Board of Commissioners.

A fixed base operator, or FBO, is an organization that provides aviation services for the operation of an airport such as fueling, aircraft maintenance, calibration services, hangar management and flight instruction.

The county reviewed proposals from both Boreal, the FBO provider for the airport for the last 20 years based in Gwinn, and Kubick Aviation Services, an organization based in Kingsford.

The board awarded the 10-year lease with the option of two five-year extensions to Boreal because of its service to the airport over the last two decades, its employment of Marquette County residents and a proposed contribution of $10,000 in marketing, which were reasons specifically noted by commissioners.

The county’s lease with Boreal, which will begin after the current FBO agreement expires Aug. 31, is expected to generate roughly $924,000 in revenue as compared to Kubick’s estimate of about $826,000.

Revenue generated from Boreal comes from the continuation of its lease of five airport buildings, which currently amounts to around $44,300 annually and will be increased to nearly $67,400, according to board documents. Revenue will also be increased by Boreal’s agreed $25,000 annual payment to the county for use in airport operations, facility improvements, capital investments and other investments.

Boreal also proposed an investment of $65,000 into the county-owned general aviation terminal, whereas Kubick proposed a $25,000 investment into the terminal in the first year with the option to negotiate the potential construction of a new terminal/maintenance hangar, proposals state.

Other strengths noted in board documents for Boreal included its recognition of customer service concerns; its engagement with the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association and its willingness to take a lead role at Sawyer Days, an annual family fun airport event that promotes aviation education; and the possibility of Boreal investing up to $300,000 in new equipment.

While county board Chairman Gerald Corkin said both companies are capable of serving as the FBO, he ultimately chose the proposal submitted by Boreal.

“Boreal has been here for 20 years, been a solid company, so they have a track record here in Marquette County,” Corkin said. “They employ 14 people who live here and that is one thing that jumps out to me no matter what business you’re talking about is how many people you’re working there. It’s something that gets my attention along with other important things, but that is important. They’ve established an advisory committee out there to help them get a better handle on customer service, which I like because every business can get better.”

During public comment, owner Mark Hangen of local business Easy Ice noted that his business has been an airport customer for 10 years and spent over $879,000 on general aviation services, but only 38% of that was given to Boreal. Other aviation services needed by Easy Ice had to be outsourced, because Boreal could not provide them.

“Let’s be honest, 20 years being here is a long time and they should be commended for that, but 20 years and now they’re saying, ‘Hey, we’re going to have some of those other services,'” Hangen said. “You had 20 years to do it, where were they over the last 20 years? I think we are better served with an FBO whose legacy is in fact the full service FBO services.”

Commissioner Bill Nordeen agreed that Boreal “didn’t really sharpen their pencil until it came time to do this bid,” but was happy with the decision to move forward with Boreal because of the company’s commitment to Sawyer throughout the years.

“Boreal was there from day one when we didn’t have much out at the airport,” Nordeen said. “It was tough getting things going out there when everything was empty, so that remains with me to this day what they did out there, all these kinds of things.”

Sawyer Airport Manager Duane DuRay was satisfied with the decision of the county board and also noted Boreal’s mention to improve the services they offer.

“After reviewing both of the proposals, and there was a lot of research done leading up to this decision, my stance was either of the companies, whether it had been Boreal or Kubick, I think they both would have been stable and would do a fabulous job at the airport and Marquette County could’ve worked with either one of them and made them a successful FBO either way,” DuRay said. “We got a handful of things Boreal had indicated they were going to improve on and we’re going to work hand in hand with them to help them to make those accomplishments and bring more success to Sawyer International.”

Trinity Carey can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is tcarey@miningjournal.net.