As Will County officials prepared their legislative agendas for the coming year, one of many issues they plan to tackle is funding for a traffic control tower at Lewis University Airport.

The 1,000-acre facility on Renwick Road between Route 53 and Weber Road in Romeoville is the county's largest airport, officials said.

With 100,000 takeoffs and landings annually, “we are one of the busiest airports in the nation without a tower,” said David Silverman, chairman of the Joliet Regional Port District, which owns and operates the airport.

Silverman addressed the county board's legislative and policy committee Tuesday morning, saying a control tower is needed to enhance safety and promote economic development.

He said he wants to attract more business corporations, but many are not allowed to fly into unregulated airports.

The airport has used temporary towers for big events, such as NASCAR races and the PGA tournaments.

While they have focused on the traditional “brick and mortar” tower, at an estimated cost of $6 million, Silverman said he would support either a traditional tower, or a remote tower, which can be located off site and operates with a system of cameras — whichever one he can get first.

“We want what is best in terms of safety and timing. A brick and mortar tower may be quickest, but we don't want to close any doors. We want to be open to all opportunities,” Silverman said.

The remote towers are a “cool idea,” he said, adding that the technology has not yet been approved here, but there currently is one in Sweden.

Through the National Association of Counties (NACo), Will County has supported a resolution urging Congress to reauthorize a current pilot program within the Federal Aviation Administration to oversee the operation of remote air traffic control towers.

That program, which expires in September, would determine the feasibility of using remote technology that is safe and cost-effective.

According to the resolution, NACo encourages a focus on such programs in growing counties where federal funds are tight and air travel is critical to the economy.

Lewis would be eligible for those funds, officials said.

“This has been the county's airport, not Peotone,” said board speaker Jim Moustis, R-Frankfort Township, calling Lewis one of the “primary relievers” for Midway Airport.

“An airport like Lewis has a huge impact on the corporate world,” which looks for airports close to their facilities, he said.

He said he would like to partner with the port district in pursuing economic development.

County officials also are concerned about the FAA's Airport Improvement Program, which collects money from passenger fees and allocates it to airports.

“People feel it is not being doled out equitably,” said committee member Don Moran, D-Romeoville.

There also is a discretionary grant program that smaller airports rely on, and which Lewis has received in the past for runway improvements. Much of the airport's revenue comes from hangar rent and fuel sales. It does not levy for taxes, Silverman said.

Congress has to reauthorize the grant program this year, and that also could become part of the county's legislative agenda.

“Lewis is really becoming a premier airport. We just need a couple things to enhance safety and economic development,” Silverman said, adding that they would like to acquire more land and install a lighting system.

slafferty@tribpub.com