The deal Marquette County officials are trying to work out with the U.S. Army to test South Korean, Italian and American helicopters this winter at Sawyer International Airport is a great opportunity we strongly support.

Still to be worked out are a confirmation from one of the three entities whose helicopters would be tested and securing the services of customs agents to clear foreign aircraft at the Sawyer airport.

County officials have long sought a customs agent for the airport, which could allow more foreign air cargo traffic, but the cost has so far proved prohibitive.

We hope the U.S. Customs service will be able to get an agent to Marquette to help with the situation.

County officials estimated the deal could bring up to $2 million into the local economy and Sawyer could potentially become the winter helicopter testing site used by the Army for years to come. We think the possibilities involved in this endeavor clearly will benefit the area and are worth pursuing.

The Marquette County Board got things moving in the right direction with its recent approval of terms and conditions for a license agreement, waiving a purchasing policy for trailer rentals and spending up to $15,000 in electrical and plumbing upgrades to an aircraft hangar to help accommodate the Army.

The Army would rent hangar 662 at the airport and would need additional office space to accommodate the various groups testing their helicopters.

Trailers would be rented from Midway Rentals and Sales and placed inside the hangar.

Each of the trailers rent for $1,380 a month with a one-time delivery and pickup fee of $1,160. A 10 percent administrative markup will be applied to the trailer rental costs. Standard rent of $250 per day will be charged for the hangar.

County officials said 60 or more people may be at Sawyer during the testing, staying in hotels, renting cars, eating in restaurants and hiring taxis in the county.

In addition, the airport would be expected to receive revenue from passenger facility charges, landing fees and fuel sales and leasing of a hangar.

The Army conducted winter icing testing at Sawyer in 2004. That year, the Army was unable to use a hangar in Duluth, Minn. where the military had performed winter tests for years.

According to airport management at Sawyer, that hangar the Army used in Duluth has now been leased long-term, providing an opportunity for Sawyer International Airport to possibly become the new winter testing site for the Army.

We think this is a great goal for the future and we are solidly behind the efforts being undertaken now to secure the testing at the airport for this winter.