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EDA pursues grants for Project Access; airport and Bay Transit updates highlight nonlocal funding
Summary
Middlesex County's Economic Development Authority and staff described multiple grant pursuits for Project Access — a boat-ramp/build application, a Preservation Trust Fund application for a small waterfront park, and a GO Virginia planning grant for a marine commerce park; airport staff announced a funded fuel-dispenser replacement and Bay Transit reported roughly 10,000 local trips per year.
The county's EDA and staff told supervisors on April 7 they are pursuing multiple grant avenues to advance Project Access and related waterfront amenities.
EDA representative Anton Funkhouser summarized three coordinated applications: a BUILD (boat-ramp) infrastructure application already submitted; a Preservation Trust Fund request (up to $200,000) intended to acquire a small waterfront park parcel subject to a conservation easement; and a GO Virginia planning grant to study a marine industries commerce park and workforce training needs. Awards for federal and state grant cycles were expected in June 2026.
Funkhouser said the preservation application is straightforward — appraisal and recorded easement requirements are common — and that a planning grant would only fund feasibility work, not land acquisition or construction. The EDA and staff emphasized the need to align future implementation grants with the planning work.
At the airport update, staff reported the new terminal's final walk-through is scheduled and that Titan Fuel has contracted to replace a fuel dispenser, with state and contractor funds covering local costs. Airport staff said FAA review confirmed AWOS equipment will not have to be moved.
Bay Transit operations specialist Donna Cunningham told the board Bay Transit facilitates roughly 9,600–10,000 trips annually within Middlesex County, including dialysis and work trips; the board reinstated level funding in the FY27 budget to avoid service disruptions.
Board action: the board approved a lease between Middlesex County and the EDA to support grant eligibility and SAM registration, and it authorized the chair to sign the agreement. The board also approved the EDA's participation steps and an appointment to the water authority.
Next steps: EDA to pursue award decisions in June and coordinate required easements and appraisals if preservation funding is awarded; county and airport staff will coordinate equipment moves and signage grant work if requested.
