Alpena County Regional Airport Manager Steve Smigelski

ALPENA — Longtime Alpena County Regional Airport Manager Steve Smigelski played a significant role in the construction of the new terminal at the airport, guided projects that led to revamped runways and taxiways, and helped the airport earn the Michigan Air Carrier Airport of the Year Award last year.

Now, he has decided to retire next month, and assistant airport manager Edward Higgins will serve as interim manager until a full-time replacement for Smigelski is hired.

A message was left with Smigelski seeking comment.

Alpena County hired Smigelski in 2014 to oversee airport operations and to help plan for the future and success of it.

Today, the airport has had a complete makeover, and the number of people electing to utilize it has been on the rise.

Alpena County Administrator Jesse Osmer and Commissioner John Kozlowski said in a joint statement that Smigelski, who is 62 years old, has served the county, airport, and his community well, and they wish him the best in retirement.

“Steve’s role in both the improvements to our terminal and the services offered by the county to those who frequent our airport is praiseworthy,” the statement said. “We will miss his optimism, friendly demeanor, and passion to see our airport succeed. Steve also played a key role in working with the FAA and military on one of the largest projects in the county’s history; which was completed in record time.”

The project the county highlighted in its statement was the runway project in 2023 had a price tag of more than $50 million, which the federal government paid a burnt of.

The runway repairs were done in three phases, which allowed the airport to remain operational for most of the project.

A large stretch of the primary runway was redone, while other sections were overhauled.

Smigelski also helped the airport stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like other airports around the globe, air travel business fell off a cliff during the mandatory lockdowns. Smigelski, local partners, and air-service provider SkyWest Airlines fought through the challenges and bounced back strongly when people felt it was safe to fly again without getting sick.

Over Smigelski’s tenure, the airport exceeded 10,000 enplanements in all but one year. When the airport breaks the 10,000 enplanement mark, it receives a $1 million subsidy from the federal government to use for projects and purchases of needed equipment.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.