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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 8, 2026
ST. JOSEPH, Mich. — The Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber (SMRC) today announced its formal endorsement of the 10-year millage renewal for the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport (KBEH), which appears on the August 4 ballot in five Berrien County municipalities: Benton Township, St. Joseph, St. Joseph Township, Lincoln Township, and Royalton Township. The Chamber, which serves as the Voice for Business in the region, urges voters in these communities to vote YES.
"The Southwest Michigan Regional Airport does quiet, essential work for our region every day—supporting emergency response, keeping our largest employers connected, and signaling to new investors that Southwest Michigan is open for business," said Arthur Havlicek, President & CEO of the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber. "This reauthorization is a smart investment and protects an asset our economy and our public-safety network depend on. We're proud to support it, and we encourage every voter to join us in voting YES on August 4."
The proposal asks for about $10 per $100,000 of taxable value in the four townships—0.10 mill in three, and 0.0991 mill in Lincoln Township—and 0.2442 mill in the City of St. Joseph. For a home of average value, most taxpayers will pay less than $20 per year (see the breakdown below). As a working asset, roughly 80% of the airport's operating costs are covered by the people and businesses that use it; with the millage covering the remaining essential airport operations and ensuring support for critical safety services. The millage has also provided the local match needed to unlock federal funding and position the airport for future growth. If reauthorized, the millage would run 10 years, from 2027 through 2036.
Chamber leadership stated their endorsement rests on the airport's role as a critical community asset for health, safety, education, and economic growth:
The safety role is irreplaceable: The airport supports air-ambulance transport to trauma centers, time-sensitive organ transport, U.S. Coast Guard search-and-rescue on Lake Michigan, and coordinated emergency response through the Region 5 Healthcare Coalition. Its all-weather runway stays open in every season—receiving emergency landings, staging supplies, and providing an access point for response aircraft when other infrastructure fails.
The educational investment is growing: The airport helps develop the region's next generation of aviation, engineering, maintenance, and public-service professionals—a direct investment in the skilled-talent pipeline that regional employers depend on. It supports aviation education programs at Countryside Academy and Berrien RESA, partners with the Civil Air Patrol on youth leadership and aerospace education, and hosts certified flight instructors who train pilots in a real-world setting.
The economic return is real: The airport supports more than 10,000 local jobs, including dozens of local small businesses as well as major area employers. With more than 400 companies from across the United States and Canada flying into it every year, the Michigan Department of Transportation estimates it has contributed over $65 million to the local economy. And when site selectors evaluate communities for new facilities, a capable local airport is a necessity, not an amenity. Like rail and highway access, it keeps Berrien County on the list when companies decide where to grow.
“Our board does not weigh in on ballot measures often, and never lightly,” added Havlicek. “When we do, it is because we have examined the question closely and concluded that the outcome matters to the economic and civic health of the entire region. As we compete for jobs, investment, and the next generation of families, it’s clear our region is stronger with this asset than it could ever be without it.”
Annual Cost per Average Home Owner in 2026
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