Supervisors weigh future of Brookneal'Campbell County Airport after Brookneal withdraws support

Frank Rogers, introduced by the chair as Frank Rogers, told the board the town of Brookneal indicated it can no longer budget a contribution for the Brookneal'Campbell County Airport and asked the board to consider the airport authority's structure and the facility's long-term viability. "With Brooke Neal's departure," Rogers said, "I think it is timely for the board just to be aware of that and to be contemplating what your long term thoughts are for that facility."

Rogers outlined the county's historical funding and how changes to FAA funding rules tied eligibility to having 10 aircraft based at the field reduced outside grants the airport could attract: "You have to have 10 planes tied down there as tenants to qualify for the funding," he said, adding the county had been budgeting a combined roughly $48,000 annually for operating and capital support. He urged staff to return with options that could include restructuring the authority, pursuing private partnerships or exploring a buyout process tied to prior FAA or Virginia Department of Aviation reimbursements.

Supervisors asked for specific financial figures before making any fundamental decision. One supervisor said the board should examine whether to move away from FAA funding mechanisms and study buyout costs; another asked whether the board could dissolve the current authority and have the Board of Supervisors assume direct control temporarily. Rogers said the authority itself would need to act to vote itself out and that staff would map the legal steps.

The board agreed by voice vote to ask staff to pursue a reconstruction of the authority to reflect current contributing members and to return with financial options and timelines during budget discussions. The item was framed as informational, with staff charged to outline next steps rather than to ask for an immediate funding commitment.