The city council on Monday will consider a proposal to provide a $100,000 tax increment financing incentive to help a private jet company more than double its footprint and air traffic at the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport.
City administration is proposing the city provide $100,000 to Monroe-based SC Aviation for the construction of a 36,720-square-foot hangar at the airport on the city’s south end. The company would then create 31 new jobs, including 12 pilots and nine mechanics making more than $30 an hour, according to city documents.
The company’s expansion is contingent on the TIF deal. Construction bids came in too high and unexpected building and fire code requirements arose, which almost forced SC Aviation to delay or cancel the project, according to city documents.
“It’s really focused on them bridging a gap of what they’re estimated construction was and what their estimated construction will be,” said Gale Price, the city’s economic development director.
If approved, SC Aviation would pour a $37 million investment into the building and, Price said, purchase eight to 12 planes.
SC Aviation has 12 jets and has tripled the size of its fleet over the last three years, according to an August press release. A representative of the company declined comment Friday.
SC Aviation is a private jet charter service that connects to Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago, Minneapolis and other Midwest locations. It operates a 12,000-square-foot hangar at the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport and would continue to do so even if the new one is constructed, according to airport Director Ron Burdick.
The airport is already home to a dozen hangars, Burdick said.
Price anticipates the need for private jets in Janesville will increase with the presence of SHINE Medical Technologies and the soon-to-arrive Dollar General.
Although situated within Janesville city limits, the airport is owned by Rock County. If the proposal is approved, SC Aviation would own the new hangar but would pay a ground lease to the county, Price said. The building would be valued at $1.1 million.
ON THE AGENDA
The Janesville City Council will meet at 5:55 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 18 N. Jackson St. Items on the agenda include:
— A public hearing on the proposed 2016 city budget. Members of the public can provide feedback on the budget at this meeting or at a Monday, Nov. 23, session.
–Consideration of an ordinance proposal that would regulate salvageable materials. The ordinance was drafted in anticipation of General Motors officially closing its plant in Janesville, officials have said. The proposal seeks to guarantee that vacated commercial and manufacturing properties are left in a safe and usable condition.
— Consideration of rezoning a property to allow for a care center for disabled children. James Arndt wants to use his property at 902 Sharon Road as a “respite center” for children with severe disabilities. The site is already home to a light manufacturing facility that produces learning products for disabled children. The project has received licensing from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Family Services, according to city documents.