In an effort to close the gap between itself and other Wisconsin airports, including nearby Appleton, the Brown County Board voted Wednesday night to contract with Vantage Group to take over operations at Austin Straubel International Airport. According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the board voted unanimously to approve the contract with Vantage Group and terminate Airport Director Marty Piette, Assistant Airport Director Rachel Engler and Marketing Director Susan Levitte. All three are expected to assist with the transition through October.

Under the agreement, Brown County will continue to own the airport and remain responsible for its budget and oversight of Vantage Group. The five-year contract is intended to help add more nonstop flights, boost passenger traffic and increase commercial development. Vantage Group is based in British Columbia, Canada, and manages airport terminals at Chicago Midway International Airport and New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport. Austin Straubel Airport is experiencing its highest passenger traffic since 2011, but it still trails Wisconsin airports in Milwaukee, Madison and Appleton.