Page 6 | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2022 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
NEWS
Airport authority begins strategic planning Newly-created entity will steer future of regional asset BY SARAH COLBURN STAFF WRITER ST. CLOUD – The newly formed St. Cloud Regional Airport Authority begins a strategic planning process this March that will guide the expansion of the airport into the future. For more than 50 years, the city of St. Cloud has provided oversight for the airport. As of Jan. 1, oversight became the responsibility of the authority, made up of representatives from St. Cloud, Stearns County, Benton County and Sherburne County. “The airport is truly a regional asset,” said Bill Towle, airport director. “We’re right at the intersection of three counties that all use the airport and bene t from the airport. It just makes sense to have a wider reach in terms of ownership and management and for the three counties to say how they want the airport to develop.” The joint resolution forming the new authority was slated to be approved a year ago but the coronavirus pandemic-related restrictions and other challenges delayed its formation. Along with the new leadership comes a new focus on the future of the airport, with representatives talking about everything from expanding corporate travel and leisure ights to providing additional conveniences for customers. Brian Myres is the board chair for the authority. “(The airport has) over $42 million a year of annual impact,” he said. “The more ights you have, the more jets you have. Corporate jets
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
An airline terminal building awaits people who use the St. Cloud Regional Airport for business and leisure travel. Hangars at the airport are at capacity, so the newly-created airport authority will look to expand. based out of there, all of that brings economic viability and that’s a good thing.” Not only does the airport increase local jobs, Myres said the airport gives larger companies access to the national and world markets, impacting the economics of the entire region. Currently, Myres said hangar capacity is full on the general aviation side and the corporate side, so the strategic plan will look at expanding hangar inventory and thereby, expand opportunities for air travel. That includes leisure travel, he said. At the present time, the airport provides an Allegiant ight to Punta Gorda, Florida, and ights to Arizona, and Myres said there is interest in providing additional destinations and services from Allegiant as well as other carriers. “It really improves the quality of life for everyone when you can travel as conveniently as you can out of the St. Cloud airport,” he said. The airport authority has the sole focus of operating and planning for the airport, and Myres said its streamlined
Allegiant Airbus A320 sits on the tarmack at the St. Cloud Regional Airport. Allegiant provides flights from St. Cloud to Punta Gorda, Florida. focus should allow its leaders to be proactive when it comes to growth. The board, he said, is made of up individuals in business, nance, marketing and aeronautics, and the diversity of its members’ experience is a bene t to the planning authority. There have been no immediate changes to the airport with the onset of the authority. The deal that was negotiated when the authority was created calls for the city to continue to nancially support the airport with an annual contribution of $620,000 for the next 10
years. That is the dollar amount city tax payers currently pay to subsidize the airport, which will not change for the foreseeable future. Additionally, the local option sales tax that extends to 2038 for capital improvements, also funds the airport. Presently, Myres said, the authority does not anticipate there will be an additional economic tax burden to the residents of
the three counties. As the airport authority board plans for the future, it’s also tasked with nding new sources of revenue. The authority will take advantage of coronavirus relief funding available to airports. Myres also anticipates the airport will receive funding from leases on additional hangars and revenue from xedbase operators as well
as additional federal grants. Any infrastructure improvements would be done with a match between local, federal and state funding sources. The strategic planning process is anctipated to take three months. The authority will seek stakeholder input. Additionally, the board has a public comment period at the beginning of every regular board meeting.
A snow plow and snow blower remove Minnesota’s winter wonderland from the St. The St. Cloud Regional Airport and its runway is viewed from the sky. Brian Myres is Cloud Regional Airport. As of Jan. 1, an airport authority made up of representatives the board chair for the newly-created airport authority, and will lead the board as they from the city of St. Cloud and Benton, Sherburne and Stearns counties will oversee the plan for the future and look for additional revenue sources. airport.
Page 12 | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2022 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
Family Owned & Operated Since 1978
The Haller Team, SUPPORTS ALL STORM ACTIVITIES. GO STORM!
Dave Anderson Realtor
SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2022 | Page 13
Sauk Rapids-Rice Robotics
8 N Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids
(320)-251-5383 www.wipplerhardware.com
320.249.7026
DAnderson@HallerRealtyHomes.com www.HallerRealtyHomes.com
Sales • Parts Service
1310 2ND STREET NORTH SAUK RAPIDS, MN 56379
POWER EQUIPMENT
833 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids, MN 320-251-4936 • www.plowworld.com
SUPPORTING THE STORM!
Take Out Available
New Menu Daily Food Specials!
Your purpose is our passion.
Sam Lieser
320-252-0451
22 N Benton Dr, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 | 320-248-6872 SamLieser.com • SamLieser@EdinaRealty.com
736 S Benton Drive • Sauk Rapids OPEN EVERYDAY FROM 11 A.M.- 8 P.M.
Go Storm! You have retirement goals. Are you on track?
603 N Benton Dr, Sauk Rapids
320-251-4771
Contact me today.
www.dandbautobody.biz
Erik L Hanson RICP®, CLTC® Financial Associate 2700 1st Street N Suite 204 Saint Cloud, MN 56303 320-253-4382
REMARKABLE
flavor. 110 1st St S Sauk Rapids (320) 252-2141
31197A N7-21
(320) 251-2552 www.tri-countyinsurance.net
320.266.3949
PHOTO BY R. TAMM PHOTOGRAPHY
The 2021-22 Storm robotics team, which consists of those involved in both FIRST Robotics and VEX Robotics programs, are Charles Peterson (front, from left), John Knoblauch, Christina LaVallee, Drew Danielson, Justin Doebber, Skyler Teachman, Benaiah Hinz, Ethan McCoy, Alexis Toupin and Ethan Doering; (second row, from left) Joseph Olson, Lydia Wallace, Gabriel Godfrey, Daeshaun Harris, Jacob Brouillet, Audrey Lo, James Brennhofer, Isaac Reimer and Jake Machula; (third row, from left) Kolby Wagner, Ian Biniek, Elijah Wilking, Emilia Almanza, Hayden Zabinski, Alex Ostendorf, Tanner Janaszak, Hayen Bauer, Clara Noggle and Tyler Schreifels; (back, from left) Lori Dale, Tristan Motsko, William McKeever, Xavier Thurston, Collin Shroyer, Sierra Kutzera, John Engebretson, Logan Miller, Benjamin Reker, Logan Friesen, Nathaniel Loftus and head coach Adam Johnson. E
211 G www.MMCJD.com
LEN S
TREET
Michael Opsahl Paul Nordquist
114 Division Street, Sauk Rapids (320) 259-8178 • (800) 599-9866 mopsahl@twfg.com • www.twfgmn.net
Stop in and try our great menu ! 320.253.0208 » 22 2nd Ave. N., Sauk Rapids, MN www.jimmyspourhouse.net
Come see why Motor Works Auto is Central MN’s #1 in Auto Service!
25 years of Experience!
320-774-2035 • www.k-kcpa.com 1139 Franklin Ave., Ste. 3, Sauk Rapids, MN
1-605-786-5327
®
Therapeutic Massage ~ Bodywork ~ Reflexology ~ Meditation Myofascial Release ~ VacuTherapies ~ Far-Infrared Sauna www.tranquilheartenterprise.com
simple human sense
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
114 2nd Ave. N. Sauk Rapids, MN www.maneasmeats.com | 320.253.8683
YO U R H O M E T O W N B A N K
St. Cloud
320.253.2262 2 Benton Dr. S
Sheet Metal & Heating, Inc. WHATEVER IT TAKES
2700 1st St. N., Suite 101,
we treat people like people. because, they’re people.
Mon–Fri: 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
Emergency 24 Hour Services
Schedule Today Pain Goes Away
Accepting New Clients!
• Computer Diagnostics • Tune Ups • Air Conditioning/Heating • Oil Changes • Transmission Repairs • Exhaust Repair & Replacements • Brakes • Tires and more!
Auto - Home - Renters Business - Life - Health
This page brought to you courtesy of the sponsoring businesses:
Supporting the Storm!
FLAG
Ryan Stack
5
320-968-6239 | 888-868-6239 | Open Monday-Friday 8-6 • Sat 8-2 | www.murphychevrolet.com
Every yard looks better with a
2803 Clearwater Rd, Suite B | Saint Cloud (320) 253-8160 | www.coilsflags.com @Coilsflags
, MN FOLEY
SINC
6329
Offices in: Albany • Holdingford • Long Prairie Melrose • Pierz • Sauk Centre • St. Cloud 320-252-6650 | advantageoneins.com
Rice 750 Cty Rd 21 320-393-4200
pinecountrybank.com pinecountrybank.com Little Falls 1201 1st Ave. NE 320-632-9740
Royalton 412 N. Hwy. 10 320-584-5522
5 Time Recipient for Medal of Excellence
Call for Free Estimate!
320.252.1371
Residential/Commercial • Sales • Service • Installation • Heating & Air Conditioning www.lyonheating.com 235 Stearns Dr., Sauk Rapids
R. Tamm Photography 320.363.7406 www.rtammphotography.com
STEVEN V. BAKER, LTD. CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS 1287 2nd St. N., Ste. 201 P.O. Box 215 Sauk Rapids, MN320.253.5175 800.252.5175 www.svbltd.com
Steven Baker CPA, Corina Schlichting CPA
LAUNDROMAT & TANNING
We support the Storm! 15 North 2nd Ave. Sauk Rapids, MN www.washntan.com 320.259.0882
OPEN DAILY Laundry 6 am-9 pm Tanning 8 am-9 pm
A Proud Supporter of Storm Athletics
Good Luck to All Sports Teams!
PAUL NEMETH Owner/Operations Manager/Master Electrician Lic.#AM07083 • Contractors Lic. #EA003490
Cell: (320) 250-1023 • Office: (320) 258-5204
702 9TH AVE. S., SAUK RAPIDS, MN 56379 cal Free Lory! Delive
Local, Independent, Family Owned!!
Village
Pharmacy & Gifts
COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
Complete Plumbing, Heating & A/C Service 320-387-3540 | freds-plumbing.com
800-847-2502 • 320-632-2908
www.brandlmotors.com 14873 113th St., Little Falls, MN 56345
Village Pharmacy & Gifts • 108 S 2nd Ave., Sauk Rapids, MN Village Gifts • 3720 3rd St. N, St. Cloud, MN
Page 24 | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2022 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
Dance
SPORTS
from page 23
PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON
Sauk Rapids-Rice high kick dance team members – Saige Moliga (from left), Hailey Ness and Emma Miller – leap in elation after hearing they qualified for the finals at the Class AA state dance tournament Feb. 19 at Target Center in Minneapolis. Austin claimed the state title in the high kick division, with the Storm placing sixth.
Lumberjacks from page 22
“We’re not disappointed at all,” Kremers said. “We haven’t been to nals in kick in so long or gotten higher than sixth, so we’re so proud of each other to get to nals. This was insane. The last time I was here was three years ago. This is literally the best senior year I could ask for. Being on the oor twice in both divisions was amazing.” Jazz performance draws praise The Storm were the 10th of 12 teams to compete in the jazz preliminaries. Their nals performance to the song “Latch” earned them 589 points to nish fth, beating Holy Family by one rank point. The margin between the champion and the sixth-place team is usually thin, Weber said, but the end result is a culmination of teamwork and pride along with exchanging ideas that starts in August.
Sauk Rapids-Rice jazz dance team members – Kylie Freitag (from left), Campbell Arndt, Quinn Anrdt, Jada Fautsch, Emma Miller, Bella Stewart and Amber Konietzko – perform the jazz routine to the song “Latch” at the Class AA state dance tournament Feb. 18 at Target Center in Minneapolis. Benilde-St. Margaret’s was crowned champion of the jazz division. “You have to be humble, honest and have fun with ideas and mistakes sometimes,” Weber said. “You have to be able to try out-of-thebox ideas, and sometimes they will be the best idea ever. And other times, you have to be OK with thinking, ‘What in the world was I thinking?’” Kremers had an inkling this team was bound for special things
early in the season. “The rst week of the season I knew we had something special,” Kremers said. “I knew we were going places because of all the hard work I saw in tryouts. This team bonded so well. We all got along really well, and it was like family. Every practice, no matter how hard or easy, we stuck by each other, and we’re all best friends. It makes
going out on the oor so much more fun.”
Jazz: 1. Benilde-St. Margaret’s 658 points (6 rank points); 2. Orono 640 (9); 3. Totino-Grace 623 (16); 4. Mound-Westonka 611 (18); 5. SRR 589 (26); and 6. Holy Family 581 (27). High kick: 1. Austin 658 (7); 2. Benilde-St. Margaret’s 650 (11); 3. Totino-Grace 643 (15); 4. Mound-Westonka 631 (19); 5. Orono 621 (23); and 6. SRR 613 (26.5).
NUM 1 1 1-3 GCL 1 3 3-7 First period: 2. Reed (Delzer, Walters) 18:20. Second period: 3. Halliday (John Blake, Coby Weber) 1:18. 4. Jorgenson (Greniuk, Tucker Skime) 2:41. 5. Reed (Delzer, Walters) 4:07. Third period: 7. Butler (Kyle Mortenson, Zak Kennett) 11:28. 8. Reed (Walters, Delzer) 14:09. 10. Greniuk (Hicks, Walters) 19:07. Goalie: Xander Roberts 15-18.
COME JOIN US!
Tickets and Season Passes Available Online: LumberjacksHockey.com • Sat., Feb 26 at 7:30 pm
Granite City Lumberjacks vs. Minnesota Loons at Breezy Point Hockey Center
• Fri., March 4 at 7:30 pm
Granite City Lumberjacks vs. Mason City Toros at Mason City Arena
• Sat., March 5 at 7:30 pm
Granite City Lumberjacks vs. Mason City Toros at Mason City Arena
R8-1B-TV
(Above) Sauk Rapids-Rice high kick team members – Grace Loidolt (from left), Rachel Kremers and Kylie Freitag leap into the air during their finals routine at the Class AA state dance tournament Feb. 19 at Target Center in Minneapolis. The Storm finished sixth in the high kick division. (Left) McKayla Harms smiles as she and the Sauk Rapids-Rice jazz team perform during the finals at the Class AA state dance tournament Feb. 18 at Target Center in Minneapolis. The Storm finished fifth of 12 teams in the jazz division.
Leading the Annie Mae Westergren Parents: Troy and Leah Westergren Accomplishment: Senior on Sauk Rapids-Rice High School girls basketball team.
Leading the Storm is
Sponsored by:
How do you make a difference at school? I try and include everybody no matter who they are. What do you do for entertainment? I like to fish, hunt, play softball and, of course, hang out with my friends and family.
Of all the things you are learning, what do you think will be the most useful What other activities are you What is your favorite aspect of as an adult? Right now, I am going to be involved in at SRRHS? Softball and playing basketball? I love the fast taking a veterinarian course next trimeschoir. pace of the game, getting to bond ter, which is going to help me achieve the with my teammates and making amazing memories I will never forget. What annual SRR event do you look career I want as an adult. forward to each year? Homecoming What has been your most memora- because you get to see all the school What is your favorite restaurant and spirit, and the homecoming dance is what do you order? Rollie’s Rednecks ble moment playing basketball? I and Longnecks, and I always get wings. cannot pick just one, but I will always always a blast. remember all the fun bus rides to and from away games.
A Proud Supporter of Storm Athletics
Good Luck to All Sports Teams! 800-847-2502 • 320-632-2908
www.brandlmotors.com 14873 113th St., Little Falls, MN 56345