Airport board considers foundation to help fund improvements

Cape Girardeau's airport advisory board voted Tuesday to set up a foundation account to help fund future airport improvements such as a public observation deck.

The Cape Girardeau City Council nixed funding for the observation deck last month, to the dismay of airport board members who favored the project.

Several council members suggested the airport has more important needs than an observation deck.

The airport board had proposed to use money from increased landing fees to pay for the $30,000 project. But after the council decided against the project, the airport board will look at other improvements that could be funded with that money.

Mayor Harry Rediger, who had supported the observation-deck project, urged the advisory board to set up a fundraising account through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks.

Rediger and retired Cape Girardeau banker Maurice "Moe" Sandfort met with the advisory board at the airport Tuesday to explain the benefits of such an arrangement. Ward 1 Councilman Joe Uzoaru, who had raised the idea of establishing an airport foundation, also attended.

Uzoaru said he favored the plan.

Airport board member Mark Welker said, "I think it is a no-brainer."

Board chairman Robert Cork said, "I wish we would have had this a few years ago."

Sandfort serves as a senior adviser of philanthropy for the Springfield, Missouri-based organization that manages more than 3,300 funds representing assets of nearly $255 million.

The foundation handles funds for more than 630 not-for-profits and 49 community affiliates across southern Missouri.

Under that organizational umbrella, Sandfort and other local civic leaders have set up the Cape Area Community Foundation, designed to provide future funding for community projects in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Scott City.

But Rediger said the local community foundation is an endowment fund that has a balance of about $35,000 and won't be in a position to give away significant grant money for about 10 years.

Sandfort and Rediger advised the airport board it can set up a separate fund within the CFO to receive private donations for airport projects.

Sandfort said a private donation of $500 would be needed to begin the account. No tax money or landing-fee revenue could be placed in such an account, he said.

Rediger told the airport board the Community Foundation of the Ozarks would manage the account for a small fee that would be less expensive than setting up a separate foundation.

"It is available for us. It is managed for us, and we can start right away," the mayor said, adding the airport board could control the funds in the airport account.

As for what to do with the $30,000 that won't be spent on an observation deck, airport board members said they plan to consider possible projects at next month's meeting.

Airport manager Bruce Loy submitted a list of possible projects including rehabilitating airport general aviation or corporate hangars.

Cork said $30,000 is not enough to fix corporate hangars.

"We need to keep it realistic," he said.

Cork suggested the money could be spent on fixing up deteriorating T-hangars.

"We have T-hangars we can't rent out because the doors won't open," Cork said.

Loy said, "The hangars are leaning."

The airport has three aging, wooden-frame hangars with metal-frame doors that need major repairs.

"It is a danger in my opinion," Loy told the board.

Board member Robin Cole said the city would generate more revenue if it had usable hangars.

"You will sell more fuel and have more activity," he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, Scott City, Mo.