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New Bedford outlines $75 million airport revitalization; council questions costs and local share
Summary
Airport Manager Scott Service told the City Council the airport faces a roughly $75 million revitalization largely paid by grants, with a proposed local share of $3.75 million. Councilors asked about electricity increases, financing options and a $10,000 request for an updated appraisal to reset lease rates.
New Bedford Airport Manager Scott Service told the City Council on June 3 that the city is pursuing about $75 million in airport revitalization projects — largely funded by state and federal grants — and that the airportwould seek a local match of roughly $3.75 million.
The package Service described would cover terminal updates, a new air traffic control tower, maintenance buildings, parking, an ARFF (airport rescue and firefighting) facility and SRE (snow removal equipment) improvements. Service said about 95% of the project would be paid with grants, leaving roughly 5% as a local share.
Service estimated that closing or fully privatizing the airport would require buying out 20 years of FAA grant assurances and repurchasing roughly 517 acres of land at fair market value, an exercise he said would cost tens of millions of dollars. He also said the airport has spent about $69 million on airfield improvements over the past decade and currently employs about 277 people.
Councilors pressed Service on operating costs and near-term budget requests. Councilor Jacqueline asked about a roughly $26,559 increase in the airport electricity line; Service attributed the change to higher electricity rates. The councilor also asked how the airport would raise the roughly $3.75 million local share; Service said the airport is pursuing MassDOT and FAA dollars, and is examining loans such as TIFIA loans that could be repaid from airport revenues rather than the general tax base.
Service said Cape Air will launch new scheduled flights from New Bedford to Boston Logan starting in September, which he argued would generate parking and fuel sales revenue. He also described recent private investment: Bridgewater State University built a six-aircraft hangar, added aircraft, and developers have proposed new hangar units.
On the airportbudget, Service sought one enhancement of $10,000 to fund an airport-wide appraisal so the city can update lease rates that rely on a 2020 appraisal. He said a current CPI-based approach had lagged market changes and an updated appraisal would help ensure leases track fair market value.
Several councilors asked for follow-up detail: breakdowns of contractual services and how the airport plans to reduce its reliance on general-fund support. Service said last year the general-fund subsidy requested was $319,000; the current year request was about $93,000 and the airport had previously produced a surplus. He also said the airport is exploring solar on about 20 acres on a northwest side of the field where building is restricted by transitional surfaces, subject to coordination with Natural Heritage and environmental constraints.
Service closed by noting the airport's regional economic impact, the presence of three FBOs and flight training, and the need to invest to grow revenues from parking and fuel sales rather than increasing direct taxpayer support.
