Support For Aerotropolis Bill Gains Steam

Milwaukee County Supervisor Pat Jursik is continuing the push for an aerotropolis around Mitchell International Airport.

A county board committee this week endorsed a resolution in support of Aerotropolis Act of 2011, a bill in front of the U.S. Congress. The measure would establish grant funding to help local communities develop transportation systems that could benefit Mitchell Airport and the Port of Milwaukee, according to a county news release.

"This initiative is the best opportunity our county has for new job growth," Jursik said. "As a member of the Aerotropolis Board of Directors, I have undertaken the responsibility of keeping our county government on track to be supportive of the economic growth engine that is our own county airport."

Aerotroplis Milwaukee is a concept of a multimodal transportation system for economic and business development within the region.

Greendale is part of the Milwaukee Aerotropolis Corp., an organization interested in working together to develop the area near Mitchell Airport.

In a story by NOW Newspapers, Greendale Village President John Hermes, who is also the vice president of Milwaukee Gateway Aerotropolis Corp., said being part of the proposed improvement in the area would not strip local municipalities of their identity.

Other municipalities involved are Milwaukee, South Milwaukee, Oak Creek, Franklin, Cudahy, and St. Francis.