NORTH NORWICH – Things are looking up at the Lt. Warren Eaton Airport as Chenango County lawmakers learned recently that two small business entrepreneurs are interested in renting t-hangar space.

Part-time Chenango County Airport Administrator Donald W. MacIntosh told members of the Planning & Economic Development Committee last week that he had begun negotiations with a jet mechanic and an airplane interior upholsterer who would share the hangar.

Also, MacIntosh said progress has been made to install a self-service credit card reader at the airport. The machine would enable pilots to fuel their own planes, thereby generating income for the county as well as eliminating liability insurance that would be necessary if a county employee were to do the fueling.

MacIntosh said having a mechanic on site and the self-fueling capability “should boost interest” in the airport.

The county would pay $20,000 for the card reader with interest from the airport’s approximately $500,000 trust fund. MacIntosh said fuel sales after the first year should cover the cost after two years.

The news comes on the heels of the departure of longtime fixed-base operator Gama Aviation followed by a shot of nearly $50,000 from the trust fund in order to keep the facility in operation. The Chenango County Board of Supervisors has tentatively budgeted the amount for 2010, along with revenues anticipated from hangar rentals and fuel sales, in order to afford a full-time maintenance worker, supplies and materials and other unplanned expenses.