Provincial & Federal Governments invest $1 million to expand Miramichi Airport
From left: Derek Burchill, chair of the Miramichi Airport Commission; Miramichi-Grand Lake MP Pat Finnigan; Premier Brian Gallant; Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser; Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Lisa Harris; and Miramichi Councillor Tom King.
The provincial and federal governments are investing up to $1 million to expand the Miramichi Airport. Each will contribute up to $500,000 for the development of a new multi-functional air services building.
The City of Miramichi is providing $250,000 and the Miramichi Airport Commission is providing $362,000 to the project.
“The new multi-functional air services building will create jobs in the short term and spur economic growth in the long term,” said Premier Brian Gallant. “Airports and other strategic infrastructure are important for New Brunswick businesses.”
The project includes demolishing the existing 481.5 square metre (5,350 sq. ft.) passenger terminal and constructing a new two-storey building.
“The federal government, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is making strategic investments that build on competitive regional advantages,” said Miramichi-Grand Lake MP Pat Finnigan. “The development of this new airport services building is vital to the Miramichi’s ongoing efforts to maintain existing business activity and to attracting new businesses in a number of sectors, in order to diversify and grow the local economy.”
Finnigan attended the event for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, who is also minister responsible for ACOA.
The new structure will be about 900 square metres (10,000 sq. ft.) and will house flight operations, aircraft dispatching, meteorology observation, aviation fuel services, pilot reception and a rest area. Space will also be leased to a variety of long-term tenants as part of a revenue stream to ensure sustainability.
“The new Miramichi Airport Services Building has been as strategic priority for the Miramichi Airport Commission and we are thankful to all three levels of government for their collaboration, commitment and support to help make this project a reality,” said Derek Burchill, chair of the Miramichi Airport Commission. “Together we have worked as a team to bring this project to fruition and we look forward to the numerous business opportunities and positive future this new infrastructure will bring to the entire Miramichi region.”
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