For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Bolstered by nearly $4 million from the 2017-2019 State of Wisconsin Biennial Budget, Alexander Field-South Wood County Airport continues the latest round of many improvements to promote safety and greater economic activity.

Airport management and governmental officials will hold a groundbreaking ceremony to formally commemorate this new phase of enhancements on Thursday, May 10, at 1:30 p.m.

Upcoming improvements include: apron expansion and reconstruction to increase aircraft; parking capacity and safety; parallel taxiways to promote safer access to and from active runways, while reducing congestion; runway lighting and surface upgrades; and planning for development of a future corporate hangar area.

These State-supported airport upgrades come in addition to $5.65 million in Federal funding for: the fall 2017 Taxiway B stormwater mitigation project; the widening and reconstruction of Runway 12/30 this spring; and the construction of Runway A during the spring of 2019. These investments demonstrate that the importance of Alexander Field-South Wood County Airport to economic growth is recognized beyond central Wisconsin.

“With the ongoing development of Sand Valley Golf Resort in the Town of Rome, people from around the world are coming to central Wisconsin and can see investment opportunity here,” said Mayor Zach Vruwink. “The upgrading of Alexander Field-South Wood County Airport offers additional incentive for visitors to invest in our workforce and the area.”

The May 10 groundbreaking comes just as the City and Regional Economic Growth Initiative (REGI) prepare to host the Central Wisconsin Economic Development Summit, at Hotel Mead on Thursday, May 10, beginning at 8:00 a.m.  The summit will feature discussion panels on workforce development, central place innovation and regional opportunities.