Oxford Airport Getting Gov't Attention

The is receiving a lot of positive attention from the government these days.

The airport, which is the second largest in the state and operated by KeyAir, received word this week from the state Department of Transportation that it would receive a $2.5-million-to-$5 million rehabilitation of its runway and taxiway in 2014 (read more below). And on Friday, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Greenwich, toured the airport for the first time along with KeyAir executives and Oxford First Selectman George Temple.

“A big part of my job, of course, is not just representing people but representing and advocating for the businesses that are employing my constituents,” Himes said following the tour. “And here you’ve got a vibrant business, employing a lot of people, with real potential. It just so happens that a lot of that potential will in one way or another interrelate with the federal government…

"So, this kind of dialogue is really important in thinking about how we can grow jobs in this area.”

Himes said he was impressed with the airport, which has which has about 200,000 square feet of corporate hangar space, a 5,800-square-foot runway and runs about 127 flights per day. A new 89,000-square-foot corporate hangar and office facility is expected to be completed this year at the Oxford airport, which is strategically located in an area with a 15-minute flight time to New York City and a 25-minute flight time to Boston. 

Key Air CEO Bob Marinace said the federal government controls a lot of what the airport does, so it behooves KeyAir officials to show government representatives the day-to-day operations of the airport and introduce them to airport employees.

“It gives them a better appreciation when we need some representation on issues,” he said. “I think it helps them do their job better.”

Temple said the airport is known statewide and helps put Oxford on the map.

“It’s nice to have a huge airport like this in any town,” he said. “We’re very happy that the people at KeyAir are such good citizens of the town.”

State officials are starting to realize the need to take advantage of the state’s airports and last year have set up the Connecticut Airport Authority. Part of what the committee is tasked with is to create economic development incentive zones around some state airports, including the Waterbury-Oxford Airport. (.)

Runway to get facelift

The following news release comes from the state Department of Transportation:

The Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Office of Engineering is developing plans for rehabilitation of Runway 18-36 and Taxiway “B” at Waterbury - Oxford Airport.

The purpose of this project is to improve the service of the runway and taxiway.  It is not anticipated that an informational meeting or a formal public hearing will be held for this project due to the limited nature of the proposed work.

It is the Department’s policy to keep the public informed and involved when such projects are undertaken.  It is important that the community share its concerns with us to assist in the project’s development.  It is not anticipated that an informational meeting or a formal public hearing will be held for this project due to the limited nature of the proposed work.

The project involves milling and overlaying approximately 5,000 feet of Runway 18-36 and1,900 feet of Taxiway B.  The runway and taxiway will not change in length, width or layout. 

The present schedule indicates that the design will be completed in January 2014, with construction anticipated to start summer 2014.  This project will be undertaken with both state and federal funds.

Anyone interested in receiving information on this project may do so by contacting Mr. John Hanifin, Project Manager, at (860) 594-2899 or by e-mail at John.Hanifin@ct.gov.   Please make reference to Project No. 107-176.