IRON MOUNTAIN — Superior Steel Systems of Iron Mountain was awarded a bid Thursday to build a new hangar at Ford Airport at a cost of $1.715 million.

A company wants to base a private jet at the Dickinson County airport and is willing to commit to a long-term lease. A payback on the hangar investment within 15 years is the goal, though County Controller Brian Bousley said construction bids reviewed Thursday were “a lot higher than I was hoping.”

Superior submitted a bid of $1.9 million for a hangar measuring 130 feet by180 feet while Gundlach Champion of Iron Mountain proposed a price of $3.1 million.

The county board agreed with Bousley’s suggestion to reduce the size to 110 feet by 170 feet, noting that’s still large enough to suit the client. The original size was a “Cadillac” option, Bousley said.

Talks will also be held on whether to save by eliminating in-floor heating or other features. The county plans to do some site preparation on its own.

Timing of the project may depend on steel delivery, but it’s hoped it can begin in September, with completion targeted in 2024 at the airport’s south perimeter.

Gundlach Champion was the $1.28 million contractor for a slightly smaller hangar completed this year. In addition to aircraft storage leases, that facility when fully finished will provide office space for both county and commercial uses, as well as an aircraft museum.

The county expects to receive $750,000 in federal infrastructure aid for the first hangar, which Bousley says provides “seed money” for the second.

In other action during a special meeting, the board:

— Authorized a $230,000 purchase agreement for about 23 acres north of the airport from the Basil J. Smeester Living Trust. The board gave initial approval to the acquisition in August after visiting the two-parcel site, which includes a garage and large storage building. The land along Wagner Drive and Riverhills Road adds to the runway protection zone and the county can be fully reimbursed through the Federal Aviation Administration, Bousley said.

— Agreed, on behalf of the Fumee Lake Commission, to apply for a $200,000 Michigan Spark Grant for a new pavilion. Other Fumee Lake Natural Area projects would include a parking lot, abandoned mine fencing and trail-grooming.

— Approved amended bylaws for the Dickinson County Fair Board. The board will now consist of 13 members, including two representatives from the county board. Formerly, the board was 11 members but when the county board added an additional representative earlier this year it resulted in a 12-member board and the possibility for tied votes. The new general public opening on the board will be advertised. Appointments will continue to be made by the county board.