Northwest Regional Airport Authority Finalizes 2026 Committees as Cherry Capital Expansion Advances

The Northwest Regional Airport Authority finalized its 2026 committee assignments and advanced a package of votes that move Cherry Capital Airport’s multi‑million terminal expansion closer to construction. Board members considered naming the expansion, pre‑approving an EGLE PFAS remediation grant and related Gosling Czuback contract, and taking steps to strengthen airport policing and property marketing.

The NRAA acted at its regular organizational meeting held at 3:00 p.m. on January 27, 2026, and the agenda includes a certified statement by Recording Secretary Kevin C. Klein that the meeting was conducted in full compliance with Michigan’s Open Meetings Act. Klein’s certification reads in part: “I, the undersigned, the Recording Secretary of the Northwest Regional Airport Authority do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and complete copy of certain proceedings taken by said Airport Authority at its meeting...and that the minutes of said meeting were kept and will be or have been made available as required by said Act.”

Airport leadership outlined the expansion’s scope at the meeting: five new gates, a relocated and expanded security checkpoint, an expanded outbound baggage area, more restrooms and amenities, and new concession areas. Klein told the board that “That should put TVC on track to put ‘shovels in the ground’ next spring as soon as the frost is gone,” and the authority is targeting a planned completion by spring 2028. Funding described to the board splits roughly half from federal sources and half to be financed through bonding and potentially a Build America Bureau loan. Officials warned passenger impacts should be minimal except during summer 2026 and 2027 when temporary gates and some ground boarding may be required.

Among the formal resolutions on the agenda were Resolution No. 2026-09 to introduce ordinance edits into NRAA’s codified rules, Resolution No. 2026-10 approving an MDOT Airport Sponsor Contracts blanket resolution, Resolution No. 2026-11 requesting pre‑approval of an EGLE grant for PFAS remediation and the corresponding Gosling Czuback scope of work, and Resolution No. 2026-12 to approve purchase of a second police patrol vehicle. The agenda also listed No. 2026-08, a public hearing on Minimum Standards introduced via Resolution 2025-90, and included a personnel appeal item — the Jon Lawrence Security Strike Appeal — noted as possibly requiring a closed session.

Board members also addressed public safety and interagency cooperation. The airport has hired its first-ever police chief, Joe FitzGerald, and is building out a police force to meet federal requirements tied to the airport’s growing size. The authority prepared mutual aid agreements with the Traverse City Police Department and the Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Office, and moved to add a second patrol vehicle under Resolution 2026-12.

On real estate, the board considered a one-year contract extension with Max Goldman of Landmark Commercial Real Estate Services to continue marketing “40‑plus acres of property by Costco along South Airport Road.” The meeting record notes Goldman brought Costco to the site and that he will continue work on “locating potential tenants” for the acreage after a previously proposed technology and logistics park fell through.

With the committee slate in place, NRAA leaders framed the assignments as strengthening oversight and governance for the expansion; the board still must vote on the project name at the meeting and finalize contract and funding details as the authority prepares for construction activity in spring 2026 and ongoing remediation and policing work through the airport’s growth.