APPLETON, WIS. – A $32.5 million public safety training center for Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) may be built on leased land from Outagamie County Regional Airport in Appleton, Wis., which would benefit the airport and local economy, according to airport director, Marty Lenss. It is Lenss’ goal to keep the airport self-sufficient, and sees the land at the airport as one of its strongest assets. Lenss said the airport’s three largest revenue streams are from the airlines, rental cars, and the parking lot, but wants to look for new, non-airline revenue sources, including expanding the general aviation facilities at the airport, and air cargo services.
FVTC President Susan May commented that the public safety training center would be the only one of its kind in the U.S., offering a full range of training opportunities. The number of students enrolled in FVTC’s public safety program has jumped from 900 to 1,500 in the past 18 months. FVTC also provides annual training to nearly 15,000 law enforcement workers nationwide in various specialized areas.
Lenss said the facility would provide an opportunity to also work with Pierce Manufacturing/Oshkosh Truck to test new design and engineering on fire trucks and airport fire rigs before final delivery.
The board of trustees approved a resolution of intent in November 2011 to pursue a capital facilities referendum on April 3, 2012.