Business View Magazine - Dec 2023

becoming an indispensable asset. Settled right within the diverse terrain of Michigan, there exists a prime example of an institution that is skillfully progressing through its journey. For the past 73 years, The St. Clair County International Airport, located in Port Huron, MI, has been navigating the skies of growing demand while honoring a commitment to environmental consciousness and sustainability. Through a delicate dance of infrastructure upgrades, resourceful air traffic management, and the cultivation of synergistic relationships, St. Clair is shaping to be the next regional cornerstone of Michigan aviation. It is laying itself a foundation as a catalyst for economic development and a source of pride for its community. THE HISTORIC CORE OF THE REGION St. Clair County International Airport has been in service since the 1940s. It originally served military aircraft and, around 1951, moved to largely serving private and business aircraft. For several years, the airport provided commercial flight operations via North Central Airlines to Saginaw and Detroit City, but it has since then halted its outbound flights. However, St. Clair still possesses the infrastructure to receive smaller commercial inbound flights. The airport still maintains a high level of traffic despite mostly detaching from its outbound commercial operations. “We see a lot of aircraft. GA, flight training, charter and corporate operations come across the border, get clearance, and then continue to their final destinations,” says Airport Director Catherine (Catie) Fiore. Additionally, Port Huron possesses two Ports of Entry, one at the St. Clair Airport and the other just a 15-minute drive away at the nearby Blue Water Bridge. As a result, the airport’s traffic features a richly diverse lineup of contributors. In fact, a main feature of Port Huron is the close collaboration between its varying traffic sources. “It’s not just air, it’s not just boat, nor is it just rail, 381 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 12 ST. CLAI R COUNT Y INTERNAT IONAL AI RPORT