Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Airports topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Winchester Regional Airport seeks $5,000 from Warren County for capital budget; highlights terminal, economic‑impact study
Summary
Winchester Regional Airport officials outlined capital needs tied to a new terminal, sought the county's continued $5,000 contribution and described a planned economic‑impact study and workforce pipeline work.
Officials from the Winchester Regional Airport briefed the Warren County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 14 and requested a $5,000 county contribution to support the airport’s capital budget.
Bill, identified during the meeting as the airport’s chairman, said the airport expects $15 million to $20 million in capital improvements over the next three fiscal years to support taxiways, ramps and other safety and capacity projects. Bill told the board the airport has taken on debt in recent years that it can service with existing revenues but emphasized the cost of capital work.
Nick Sabo, executive director of the Winchester Regional Airport, said the ribboning of a new terminal — which the airport brands the “terminal of the future” — positions the field for next‑generation aviation including electric aircraft and high‑speed data needs. He said the airport has 14 on‑field businesses, supports aeromedical services and has begun workforce development work, including an Advanced Air Mobility Workforce Development Pipeline Study that will invite area school systems and employers to prepare students for aviation careers.
Sabo told board members that an economic‑impact statement for the airport is under way; he said the airport will be one of the first in the Commonwealth to commission an updated economic‑impact analysis and that the study will take about 12 months. The airport’s 2025 capital budget is approximately $10.3 million, Sabo said; state and FAA grants will cover much of the work and a local share is roughly 2 percent, he said.
Sabo confirmed Winchester’s request to Warren County matches last year’s $5,000 level. Supervisor discussion clarified that the county’s contribution would be paid from the airport enterprise fund rather than the general fund.
No formal vote was taken at the Jan. 14 session; the airport said its budget request will appear in the county budget process and that the county’s $5,000 contribution is the same level as last year.
