MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Marquette County Commission voted unanimously at the March 21 commission meeting to rename Sawyer International Airport to Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport. The announcement for the $80,000 rebranding project was made back in November, and commissioners hope the airport’s facelift will support the history of the U.P.
“For the industry to be in our area and develop new ideas or innovations or new companies they certainly need the right airport to support that. We are very cognizant of that, and we realize that we need to continue looking at ways to make the airport better,” commented Marquette County Commissioner, Bill Nordeen.
Commissioners and airport officials noted at the meeting that the age of the building brought on an amount of concern as well.
“The building is starting to show age and would either need some substantial investment to repair the roof and the structure or we would ultimately have to tear it down if not look at repurposing it,” said airport manager Duane Duray.
“We wanted to retain the name ‘Sawyer.’ We did like the name ‘Marquette’– I think it’s easier for people to understand where it’s located, so we decided on Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport. We did like the name ‘Region[al]’ as well, because that says that we’re trying to become the regional airport for the Upper Peninsula,” continued Nordeen.
The rest of the changes planned during the rebranding process are still being discussed. The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for April 4.
