Today the Board of County Commissioners approved a contract with Grand River Aviation, LLC to provide Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services at the Kremmling Airport (20V) at McElroy Field.
Owned and operated by Keith and Joanna Whitemarsh of Kremmling, Grand River Aviation will be responsible for airport operations, including fuel services, aircraft rental and maintenance and flight instruction.
The County began contract negotiations with Grand River Aviation last fall following the outfit’s selection as a candidate in October. A request for proposals for a Fixed Base Operator to replace Alpine Wings was issued in the spring of 2020. District 3 Commissioner Kristen Manguso made the motion to approve the contract with “enthusiasm and pleasure.”
"The airport is a key amenity for both the town of Kremmling and the County,” Manguso said. “Having the knowledge and expertise that Grand River Aviation brings will allow the airport to continue functioning at a high level, and will also bring the Western hospitality for which Grand County is known to visitors touching down for the first time.”
“This is the result of a long process, and we are looking forward to the opportunities that are ahead with this venture,” said District 1 Commissioner Rich Cimino.
District 2 Commissioner Merrit Linke echoed his colleagues’ sentiments. “This is the end of a long negotiation process and many conversations that I believe is going to be a win/win partnership for many years in to the future,” said Linke.
The FBO contract with Grand River Aviation is for five years, beginning April 27, 2021, and includes four potential five-year renewal terms, for a total of 25 years. The contract has also been approved by the Town of Kremmling’s Council, and Kremmling Town Manager, Dan Stoltman, has been given approval by the Council to execute it.
Kremmling Airport is one of Grand County’s two airports. The Granby Airport does not have a Fixed Base Operations operator.