Board approves $39,937 to upgrade New Kent Airport terminal, move Bay Transit operations
July 15, 2025 | New Kent County, Virginia
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The New Kent County Board of Supervisors voted July 14 to appropriate $39,937 from a reserve fund to upgrade the New Kent Airport terminal building so Bay Transit vans can base operations there and the county can relocate transportation staff into improved workspace.
County Administrator Ken Hathaway told the board the terminal currently runs on a hotspot and needs fiber, servers and a phone system to be functional. “What this renovation does is it brings fiber optic service to the terminal building, and it puts the airport terminal building on our phone system as well,” Hathaway said. He said much of the cost is network infrastructure; Cox would charge $125 to make the final connection once the county installs routers and servers.
Bay Transit, which began with two vehicles, has increased operations and now sometimes parks up to six vehicles at a privately leased lot behind a restaurant, the county said. Hathaway said moving Bay Transit to the airport would also free a small leased office the county currently uses for transportation planning and place the transportation director in more appropriate county space.
Supervisor (Mr.) Moyer moved to appropriate $39,937 from the Colonial Downs Reserve for Future Capital Projects Fund; the motion passed on a roll call vote. Board discussion noted the proposal could alternatively use CVTA (transportation authority) funds for airport-related improvements, but Hathaway said the county has committed significant funds elsewhere and recommended the reserve for this work.
The board was told the airport improvements are not eligible for FAA or state aviation reimbursement because the work is for administrative and IT upgrades rather than airfield construction. Hathaway said the county will continue discussions with the landlord of Bay Transit’s current location if the airport relocation does not proceed.
The appropriation covers network hardware, phone system installation, monthly fiber service and minor interior work such as carpet and a door. The board did not authorize construction beyond the stated scope at this meeting.
County Administrator Ken Hathaway told the board the terminal currently runs on a hotspot and needs fiber, servers and a phone system to be functional. “What this renovation does is it brings fiber optic service to the terminal building, and it puts the airport terminal building on our phone system as well,” Hathaway said. He said much of the cost is network infrastructure; Cox would charge $125 to make the final connection once the county installs routers and servers.
Bay Transit, which began with two vehicles, has increased operations and now sometimes parks up to six vehicles at a privately leased lot behind a restaurant, the county said. Hathaway said moving Bay Transit to the airport would also free a small leased office the county currently uses for transportation planning and place the transportation director in more appropriate county space.
Supervisor (Mr.) Moyer moved to appropriate $39,937 from the Colonial Downs Reserve for Future Capital Projects Fund; the motion passed on a roll call vote. Board discussion noted the proposal could alternatively use CVTA (transportation authority) funds for airport-related improvements, but Hathaway said the county has committed significant funds elsewhere and recommended the reserve for this work.
The board was told the airport improvements are not eligible for FAA or state aviation reimbursement because the work is for administrative and IT upgrades rather than airfield construction. Hathaway said the county will continue discussions with the landlord of Bay Transit’s current location if the airport relocation does not proceed.
The appropriation covers network hardware, phone system installation, monthly fiber service and minor interior work such as carpet and a door. The board did not authorize construction beyond the stated scope at this meeting.
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