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Southwest Michigan Regional Airport Seeks Millage Renewal
The airport's 0.1 mill levy has been vital to operations since 2006 and is up for a 10-year renewal vote.
Published on Mar. 9, 2026
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The Southwest Michigan Regional Airport is seeking to renew a 0.1 mill property tax levy that has been in place since 2006 and makes up a significant portion of the airport's budget. Airport Director Christopher Beckman says the millage allows the airport to maintain vehicles, pay staff, and operate efficiently, while also providing economic growth opportunities for the region by attracting businesses and travelers.
Why it matters
The Southwest Michigan Regional Airport is seen as a key economic driver for the region, helping to attract new businesses and providing convenient air travel access. The renewal of the millage levy is crucial to ensuring the airport can continue to operate and provide these benefits to the local community.
The details
The 0.1 mill levy, which equates to $10 per $100,000 of taxable property value, was first approved by voters in 2006 and is up for renewal every 10 years. Airport Director Christopher Beckman says the millage makes up a large portion of the airport's budget and allows it to maintain vehicles, pay staff, and operate efficiently. The millage is paid by property owners in Benton Harbor, Benton Township, St. Joseph, St. Joseph Township, Lincoln Township, and Royalton Township.
- The millage was first approved by voters in 2006.
- The millage is up for renewal every 10 years.
- The Benton Township Board of Trustees voted last week to allow the millage renewal on the August ballot.
- The other affected municipalities will be asked to do the same in the coming weeks.
The players
Christopher Beckman
The director of the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport.
Southwest Michigan Regional Airport
A regional airport that serves the southwestern Michigan area and is seeking to renew a 0.1 mill property tax levy that makes up a significant portion of its budget.
What they’re saying
“It's very important to us. It makes up a huge portion of our budget. It allows us to maintain our vehicles, pay our staff, and just keep things operating here effectively and efficiently as we can.”
— Christopher Beckman, Airport Director
“It gives this region opportunity for growth. A lot of companies, when they look to build somewhere, anything like that, they look for, 'Hey, how can we get out to people? What do we need?' And a lot of times, that involves being near an airport. So just in terms of economical growth, the airport is vital for local economies.”
— Christopher Beckman, Airport Director
What’s next
The other affected municipalities, including Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, St. Joseph Township, Lincoln Township, and Royalton Township, will be asked to put the millage renewal on the August ballot in the coming weeks.
The takeaway
The renewal of the Southwest Michigan Regional Airport's 0.1 mill property tax levy is crucial to ensuring the airport can continue to operate and provide economic growth opportunities for the region by attracting businesses and travelers. The millage makes up a significant portion of the airport's budget and allows it to maintain infrastructure and staffing.
