51福利社 board OKs agreement with Florida's Charlotte County
KALAMAZOO, Mich.鈥擳he Western Michigan University's Board of Trustees has approved an economic development investment agreement with Charlotte County in Southwest Florida.
The agreement paves the way for improvements at Punta Gorda Airport designed to enhance 51福利社's ability to deliver aviation flight training at the facility. Up to $500,000 in improvements will be done by the county to an airport hangar complex 51福利社 is leasing for the program. 51福利社 trustees approved that $1-per-year lease in December.
The new agreement calls for 51福利社 to:
- Establish and begin the flight training program at Punta Gorda Airport no later than January 2018.
- Invest no less than $2 million in building improvements and/or equipment and training prior to July 1, 2018, to support delivery of a bachelor's degree in aviation flight training.
- Continuously operate the program at Punta Gorda Airport for no less than five years or refund $100,000 to Charlotte County for every year less than that five-year period the program operates.
- Appropriately staff the program and within five years maintain an average student enrollment of 150 students per academic year with a provision for significant market disruption.
David Powell, dean of the 51福利社 College of Aviation, presented the recommendation to the trustees and told them some of 51福利社's agreement requirements are already nearing reality.
"We will start Sept. 5, 2017," Powell said of the new aviation degree program at the Punta Gorda Airport, noting that the 51福利社's investments in the facility and program also would be completed early.
He said the program goal is to bring in 50 new students per year, and he expected to reach an average annual student enrollment of 150 in three years.
The agreement has already been approved by the Charlotte County Board of Commissioners. The 51福利社 board approval means the agreement can be finalized and implemented immediately.
For more 51福利社 news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.