It's the first major step since agreeing to invest in Sarnia's Chris Hadfield Airport earlier this year.
Sarnia council will consider establishing a Municipal Services Corporation on Monday, to help implement plans outlined by a consultant to move the asset forward.
Mayor Mike Bradley says it's time to work with the community to implement the plan.
"There have been quite a few reports, quite a few engagements with the public, and we've hired experts from outside because it's a very specialized operation to guide us forward," Bradley said. "Here's the flight path. This is after council unanimously said, 'we're going to continue to keep the airport.'"
Bradley said council would decide the final composition of the group, which is expected to cost between $40,000 and $80,000 to develop.
"I will point out [with] the airport advisory committee a few years ago, we kept it non political, [there were] no politicians on there," he said. "[It was] business people and others who could bring expertise to the decisions that have to be made. So, if council really wants to support the airport, let it operate in a business like manner. With people who understand the business, understand what has to be done and it will help the community grow."
Bradley said if approved, "the heavy lifting will begin." "We now have to look at the operation. Should we continue the lease to 2027 by the present operator? Which would give us time to put other things in place and then do we wish to have someone specifically responsible for the steps ahead, to implement them, that would make sure that they do happen," he said.
"Hopefully at some point we might be able to get some sort of plane service back into this community on a commercial basis," Bradley added.
Council is being asked to extend the airport subsidy to June 30, 2027.
If approved, Scottsdale Aviation would receive $600,000 to continue to support the operations.