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The Town of Kenbridge helps cover the cost of operating the Lunenburg County Airport. It’s been that way since the project opened decades ago. But does that make sense? Or is it time for them to leave the project? That’s what town council members have been asking in recent months. 

First, a little background. In 1966, when the Lunenburg County Airport was developed, ownership and expenses were split three ways. Lunenburg County owns 50%, while the towns of Kenbridge and Victoria each own 25%, respectively. It’s worth pointing out here that ownership does not translate into revenue sharing for the towns. It just gives them a seat at the table, so to speak. The groups meet on a quarterly basis to discuss the airport’s needs and future, with each group allowed to send one representative.

But you have several new council members in Kenbridge and they come with the same questions many residents have asked in recent months. They don’t want to wait until the next group meeting, which isn’t scheduled until May. They hear discussion about more construction being planned and renovations to the property. There are no dollar amounts attached yet, or discussion about who would pay for the work, but what would the end result mean?

More than that, what has been the return on investment (ROI) for Kenbridge from nearly 60 years in this partnership?

Kenbridge has questions about resources

Kenbridge Town Manager Tony Matthews told The Dispatch that town officials just have questions. They want to know how resources and opportunities at the airport are being maximized. 

“Kenbridge questioned the return on investment,” Matthews said.  “Are we as a county and the citizens of our towns getting a fair return on the investment it takes to operate and make upgrades to the airport?  We merely needed some information regarding these issues.”

Lunenburg County Administrator Tracy Gee said from the county’s perspective, while the airport partners may not see dollars directly from their investment and from the airport’s operations, the community as a whole receives the benefit of having an airport in the county. 

“When examining the economic impact of a rural general aviation airport, it is often tempting to look at dollars returning directly to the county as a measurement of the health of an airport,” Gee said. “This is not an accurate measurement and especially true of an airport with no customer-facing businesses such as restaurants or warehousing on airport property. These types of businesses often bring direct income to their owner in the form of leases and taxes.  Lunenburg County Airport does not have those businesses currently at the airport.” 

The Dispatch asked for some examples, in terms of what other benefits the town sees from the property.

“The more typical benefit to the county is to the many businesses that provide goods and services that the aviation community utilizes, such as hardware stores, auto supply stores, gas stations and, of course, restaurants,” Gee said. “These businesses all benefit from pilots and their passengers using the airport.”

Breaking down the numbers

The Dispatch asked a couple questions about those benefits. How many planes on a given year land at the airport? How many per month? After all, it’s one thing if there are 100 planes landing over 12 months. It’s another if we’re talking about 12 or 13.

Lunenburg County Airport Manager Larry Way says the airport averages 30 flights per month, based on the data. However, in the same breath, Way claimed the data might not be completely accurate.

“Many flights do not stop at the FBO (Fixed Base Operator) to sign the guest register but utilize the airport to hone their skills both for landings and approaches,” Way said. “This number most likely does not reflect the total number of aircraft using the airport.”

Way claimed the number of planes could be significantly higher, however he had no data or evidence to back that up. What he did have was information that seems to indicate the airport usage is dropping.

Fuel sales, for example, have dropped dramatically over the last decade. By 2015, the airport was selling 860 gallons a month, when it had some of the cheapest fuel in the area. Once prices increased, Way said the airport was seeing closer to 200 gallons a month in sales. In November of last year, sales dropped to 80 gallons, and in December 2024, the airport sold 20 gallons. 

How does that help Kenbridge?

But again, the towns don’t get a percentage of the fuel sales, so where is the benefit? Gee argued the airport provided a staging area for EMS and medical transports and again claimed that those arriving at the airport could visit local businesses. When asked the likelihood of a pilot driving to a restaurant in Kenbridge several miles away versus Victoria, which literally is outside of the airport, there was no comment. Gee instead just again argued the airport plays an important role in the economic health of Lunenburg and the surrounding areas.

She couldn’t give any other examples of how that is, as the county has no contracts via the airport and no shipping or deliveries are done there. Instead, these are mainly private planes being flown in and out.

Gee said the county is considering additional hangers, providing rental space for six aircraft, which would provide direct income in rent to Lunenburg County. She added there are also plans to install a new runway edge lighting system to allow the airport to return to 24/7 operations. But again, how does that help a town like Kenbridge? What are Kenbridge residents getting for those used tax dollars? 

“We continue to seek a tenant for the hangar at the airport and increase air traffic following the completion of the apron and runway paving project. We also continue to seek tourism opportunities at the airport,” Gee explained. “Our goal is to maintain the airport as a public asset for economic development, which often takes time and patience.”

Wait and see about Lunenburg airport

Kenbridge officials will continue to meet with Lunenburg County staff to get a better idea of both the current and potential future return on investment, Matthews said. As Kenbridge prepares for budget season, the town council may have to make a decision as to if it’s worth continuing this partnership.