Press Release | The Town of Bethel, Maine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 2025

Contact: Sharon Jackson

Phone: 207-824-2669

TOWN OF BETHEL BREAKS GROUND ON NEW TAXIWAY AT BETHEL REGIONAL AIRPORT

EIGHT OF NINE NEW HANGAR LOTS LEASED IN UNDER ONE MONTH

BETHEL, Maine — The Town of Bethel today announced the commencement of construction on a new taxiway at Bethel Regional Airport (0B1), along with the execution of ground lease agreements with eight lessees for new hangar lots adjacent to the taxiway. The rapid leasing of eight of nine available lots — accomplished in less than one month — underscores substantial unmet demand for aviation facilities in the region, complementing six existing hangars already in operation at the airport.

Construction on the new taxiway is being led by Cross Excavation, a Bethel-based general contractor with deep roots in the local community. Engineering and planning services are being provided by Stantec, a leading infrastructure and environmental services firm. The taxiway project is funded through a combination of the FAA Airport Improvement Program and Airport Improvement Grants, which is providing 95% of project costs, with the remaining share contributed by the Maine Department of Transportation and the Town of Bethel. The project reflects the Town’s commitment to modernizing airport infrastructure in a manner consistent with FAA standards and the long-term development vision for Bethel Regional Airport.

The new hangar lots will generate meaningful economic benefit for the Town of Bethel. Ground lease payments will provide a direct, recurring revenue stream to the municipal airport, while hangar structures erected by lessees will be subject to property taxation, further expanding the local tax base. Beyond financial returns, the development creates a platform for aviation-based businesses to establish operations at Bethel Regional Airport, broadening the economic activity and services available to pilots and visitors.

“This is an exciting moment for Bethel and for Bethel Regional Airport,” said Randy Autry, Bethel Airport Authority Board Chair. “The fact that all eight lots were leased in under a month tells us the demand has always been there — we’re simply now able to meet it. With a local contractor breaking ground and a leading engineering firm guiding the design, we are confident this investment will deliver lasting value: new revenue for the Town, new opportunities for aviation businesses, and a stronger, more capable airport for the entire region.”

Bethel, ME Regional Airport (identifier 0B1) is a municipal facility established in 1945 and owned by the Town of Bethel. Located approximately two miles northwest of Bethel’s central business district, the airport sits at 674 feet elevation on 225 acres in the mountains of western Maine. It features an asphalt-paved runway of 3,818 feet, 24 based aircraft, self-serve 100LL aviation fuel available around the clock, and 18 tie-down spaces. The airport serves general aviation, charter, and private flights from across the United States and Canada, recording more than 2,000 takeoffs and landings annually. Beyond recreational and business aviation, the airport plays a critical life-saving role: it serves as a base for LifeFlight of Maine, which has transported more than 13 patients directly from 0B1 over the past five years, as well as Angel Flight and PALS (Patient Airlift Services), which transport cancer and burn patients to larger medical facilities. The airport is governed by a five-member Airport Authority under the oversight of the Airport Manager, Airport Deputy Manager, and Bethel Select Board.

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