Airport Seeks Self-Sustainability with Proposed Fuel Station Revenue

The 3 acres in front of Ascension Aviation, Choice Aviation and Cody Coffee, may become Cody’s newest fuel station, with an island aimed at smaller vehicles and another island for trucks and RVs.

This fuel station would potentially bring in $20,000-$30,000 per year in rent, which could offset the need for Yellowstone Regional Airport (YRA) to approach the City and County for continuing funding. This land has been available for development for years, but no apparent interest has been shown in it.

Eric Reichert of Essential Fuels first presented plans at the April YRA board meeting. He recently submitted a letter of intent for the fuel station which was accepted by the board at its last meeting. Accepting this letter of intent means no other proposals can be considered for the 3 acres in question and will be binding until April 30.

“Accepting the letter of intent by the YRA board allows further exploration of the proposal’s feasibility. They will need to see if the FAA will allow it on that property, and the design must be approved by WDOT (Wyoming Department of Transportation). In addition, the City of Cody Planning and Zoning must also review and approve the project.” – Aaron Buck

Fuel Station or Truck Stop?

Other proposals have been made in the past for full truck stops that would have encompassed 10 acres of land by the airport. Those proposals did not proceed due to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. The land for those proposals has now been filled by hangars built by YRA.

Essential Fuels plans to build a fuel station instead of a full truck stop. With a different and smaller location than previous proposals, the approval from multiple agencies might happen this time. Essential Fuels is based in Scottsbluff, NE, and operates a station in Bridger, MT, a truck stop in Torrington, WY, among others in Nebraska.

Essential Fuels Owner, Eric Reichert, defines a truck stop as offering showers, a restaurant, and overnight parking. The intended fuel station will have a convenience store with a few tables. Aaron Buck, YRA Airport Director, said there would be no changes to the current overnight parking rules for the property. However, when initially presenting the concept to the board in April, there were discussions about allowing trucks to overnight on the dirt area where the old armory building used to sit, across the entrance road from where the fuel station is proposed. That expansion has been dismissed by the board.

Currently, occasional trucks overnight along various spots near the Beck Lake water complex along US Highway 14 (the Greybull Highway). With the addition of the fuel station, they could more likely choose to stay on the fuel station property. The closer proximity increases safety concerns from tenants including airplane owners, the FBOs (Fixed Based Operations – Ascension Aviation, and Beacon Aviation), and the SASO (Specialized Aviation Service Operators – Choice Aviation).

The board took this feedback seriously and discussed it with law enforcement. They responded that they felt it would actually increase security, as there would be more cameras and an easy place for officers to stop for a break. Law enforcement also has not seen any problems with trucks overnighting in that area.

Becoming Self-Sustaining

During the recent board meeting, Mayor Reiter mentioned the need for the airport to become more self-sustaining. At the moment, the airport receives subsidies from the federal, state, and local levels. Lowering the need for local tax dollars is a sound fiscal decision for the community, which is why the offer by Essential Fuels was considered.

“Yellowstone Regional Airport is a vital resource for the sustainability of our local economy. We are fortunate to have this first-class essential air service in our community and support the YRA Board’s efforts to optimize operations. Should the proposed fuel station become a reality it will be another brick in the pathway to financial independence. With adjustments to recognize the concerns of the tenants I encourage this and other well-managed uses of the property around the airport to achieve long-term sustainability for the future of the airport.” – Mayor Reiter

There are also other lots available for development, many to the east of the YRA entrance. To learn more about the requirements of developing property around the airport, contact Aaron Buck at 307-587-5096.

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