Business View Magazine | March 2020

196 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE MARCH 2020 In 1958, a new terminal was constructed to replace the original building that had served the Airport since the 1920s. In 1961, an air traffic control tower was constructed and Runway 17/35 was lengthened to 5,300 feet. Other airfield improvements included the installation of an instrument landing system (ILS) in 1963 and another extension of Runway 17/35 to 6,500 feet in 1977. Due to a constant growth of passengers, an expansion of the terminal building was conducted in 1979 to increase the size of the building from 12,000 to 30,000 square feet. In 1984, the City of Kalamazoo, which had owned and operated the Airport since its inception, transferred ownership to the County of Kalamazoo. Today, the Airport is managed and operated by the nine-member County Board of Aeronautics; it is entirely self-sufficient and does not receive any operating funds from the county. Between administration, operations, and maintenance, there are 20 county employees who work at the Airport. Increased passenger levels at the facility called for another expansion of the terminal, which was completed in 1989. This renovation included a new concourse, enlarged boarding area, new baggage claim, and a terminal ramp expansion. Also in 1989, in an effort to bring attention to