Commission discusses hangar expansion options, estimates and federal funding possibilities

The Rangeley Airport Commission spent substantial time discussing options for new hangars—private build, town-funded build using federal/state funds, or a municipal model that rents space. The commission did not take formal action but asked staff to coordinate an informal meeting with applicants.

Why it matters: Hangar supply affects airport capacity, potential revenue for the town, and access to aviation services. Commissioners and at least one public commenter urged exploring federal and state funding sources and estimating current construction costs to inform a future decision.

Ed Kamick, a member of the listening public, offered to meet with the commission to discuss federal and state funding and municipal ownership models. "I I'd love to come to the next meeting and sit down and discuss ... investigating federal funds to build these hangars and the town retains them ... you'd have a great rate of return on the investment," Kamick said. He noted market realities—pilots buying $150,000 airplanes may not pay $185,000 for a hangar but would rent space.

Commissioners ran through rough math from numbers mentioned at the meeting: a recent nearby project cited $185,000 per hangar; a 10‑pack configuration with 45‑foot doors and an estimated depth would yield about 15,750 square feet total (1,575 sq ft per unit). Participants computed a ballpark total of about $3,000,000 for a 10‑pack at $200 per square foot. Commissioners asked Joe Roche and others to reach out to applicants and contractors to gather up‑to‑date square‑foot costs and to arrange an informal on‑site meeting with interested applicants before Memorial Day if possible.

Ending: The commission did not vote on hangar policy or funding. Members agreed to schedule a separate informal hangar meeting with applicants present to gather cost estimates and build vs. rent analyses to bring back to the commission.