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For months now, the Kenbridge Town Council members have had questions for Lunenburg County staff. Does it make sense for the town to stay in the Lunenburg airport partnership? Are they getting value for what they put in? Or is it time for them to leave the project? 

Back in December, council members asked to sit down with both Lunenburg staff and the airport management, wanting to crunch numbers and go over the return on investment (ROI) from the project. Lunenburg County Administrator Tracy Gee shared that request with county supervisors during their meeting, saying that she and Airport Manager Larry Way met with Kenbridge officials. The Dispatch also reached out to county staff, asking for an overview about the airport’s impact. Gee agreed to sit down and touch base about the project. 

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 Kenbride and Victoria each own 25%, respectively. The groups meet on a quarterly basis to discuss the airport’s needs and future, with each group allowed to send one representative. But this time, Kenbridge officials want to better understand exactly what the contract says involving the future and what will actually benefit. 

Argument about Lunenburg airport 

Gee said from Lunenburg 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.” 

Instead, Gee argued, the county and towns benefit from affected businesses.  

“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.”

From contributing to the health of the agricultural industry, from EMS and medical transports, to providing an airspace for visiting businesses, to patronizing local businesses, Gee argued the airport plays an important role in the economic health of Lunenburg and the surrounding areas.

The Lunenburg County Airport commission rents T-hangars on a quarterly basis. The County has been advertising for a long-term tenant for its large on-site hanger. County Administrator Gee shared that Lunenburg and its partnering cities continue to work toward maintaining and upgrading the airport as well as creating opportunities within it going forward. 

The County is considering additional T-Hangers, providing rental space for 6 aircraft and direct income in rent to the County. According to Gee, there are also plans to install a new runway edge lighting system to allow the airport to return to 24/7 operations.

Data continues to be compiled based upon the meeting between Lunenburg County and Kenbridge about the Lunenburg airport ROI. Both Lunenburg County and Kenbridge officials confirmed the desire and plans for continued partnership on the venture between the county and town.