The Vermont Agency of Transportation is asking state lawmakers for permission to sell the Caledonia County State Airport — and it may not have to look far to find a buyer.
Beta Technologies, the South Burlington electric aircraft manufacturer, has expressed interest in taking the Lyndon airport off the state’s hands, Transportation Secretary Joe Flynn told members of the Senate Transportation Committee Thursday morning.
Flynn said airport users have been clamoring for badly needed upgrades to the Northeast Kingdom facility for years, and the agency thinks a private company could make those improvements faster than the state. The airport’s main runway has not been resurfaced for decades and its taxiways are also in poor condition, he said.
There are many other small airports — including some in Vermont — ahead of Caledonia in the queue for federal funding, Flynn told lawmakers. He estimated that renovations would cost up to $14 million and be at least a decade out under continued public ownership.
“We are here to ask, before any such investments of limited public resources are made, can we — should we — take advantage of investment from the private sector in this unique public asset?” Flynn said Thursday. “And, in doing so, create a win-win?”
A Beta representative signaled the company’s interest in a statement Thursday afternoon.
“To the extent that increasing investment in the Caledonia County State Airport could unlock economic development and workforce opportunities in the Kingdom, BETA and (CEO Kyle Clark) would be interested in being part of that conversation,” wrote spokesperson Jake Goldman.
Beta has been seeking Federal Aviation Administration approval for its electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. More recently, it announced it will also develop a more conventional electric airplane that would use runways to take off and land. The company plans to build its planes at a 40-acre technology and manufacturing campus at Burlington International Airport.
Caledonia County’s airport, which has one state-owned hangar and a dozen that are privately owned, largely serves a local aviation community, according to Flynn.
The secretary was adamant that, if the state sells the airport to Beta or another private entity, it would negotiate an agreement ensuring continued public access. The new owner would have to honor any existing leases at the time of sale, he said.
VTrans officials gave the Senate Transportation Committee draft legislation Thursday that would authorize the airport’s sale. The language, which could be added into this year’s omnibus transportation bill, allows the agency “to solicit proposals for purchase of the Caledonia County State Airport.” The bill, H.479, already cleared the House.
The Legislature would not have a say in who the airport is sold to, Flynn noted.
“I’ve mentioned one person, in one company, who has expressed interest,” the secretary said, referring to Clark, “and I leave it at that.”
All five committee members said they supported Flynn’s proposal, but wanted to hear more from airport users and local officials about the potential sale. Flynn said the agency plans to host a public meeting at the airport “in the near future.” The transportation committee may also take additional testimony about the plan.
Sen. Andrew Perchlik, D/P-Washington, suggested adding language to the agency’s proposed legislation stating explicitly that public access would be preserved.
“I’m very supportive and excited about this opportunity of Beta growing further,” said Sen. Thomas Chittenden, D-Chittenden-Southeast, “and for anybody wanting to invest money in Caledonia, to grow that part of Vermont.”
