The Cuyahoga County Airport tower was on a list of more than 100 the FAA had targeted for possible closure. County officials say they’re concerned about safety, and about the impact that could have on the attracting new business to the facility that now has 54 companies employing 3,000 people.

When the tower closes April 7, the Cuyahoga airport’s takeoffs and landings will be monitored by Cleveland Hopkins Airport about 20 miles away. Mike Matejka is a flight maintenance manager at Cuyahoga’s airport. He says in the nearly 40 years he’s worked there, the control tower has always been operating. He blames politics for the closure.

“This was probably one of the easiest ways for the FAA administrator to make his targeted budget cuts. If cooler heads prevailed and good safety and cost effectiveness studies had been done, things might be different. The controllers here are very cost-conscious and do a great job. Too bad we can’t keep it going.”