On May 15, 2026, Middlesex County celebrated the grand opening of a new 4,400-square-foot terminal building at Hummel Field (W75), the county’s public-use general aviation airport in Topping. County Administrator Kevin Gentry hosted the ribbon-cutting, joined by local and state officials and representatives from the Virginia Department of Aviation, which provided the majority of project funding.

The new facility replaces a decades-old temporary structure with a permanent building that includes public gathering space, a conference room, and improved operational support for pilots and aircraft. It is the most significant infrastructure upgrade at Hummel Field in the airport’s more than 80-year history.

An Airport with Real Economic Weight

Hummel Field has been part of Middlesex County since 1941, when Fred E. Hummel built the airstrip along the Rappahannock River and later donated it to the county in 1970. Its economic contribution has grown substantially in recent years.

According to Virginia aviation impact data, the airport now supports 57 jobs and generates approximately $2.3 million in wages and nearly $7 million in total economic output annually, representing more than 700 percent growth since 2016.

Aircraft based at Hummel Field are subject to Virginia’s personal property tax, which flows directly to the county. The county’s FY 2026-2027 budget, adopted May 28, includes a reduction in the aircraft tax rate from $2.10 per $100 of assessed value to $0.62 — the same rate applied to boats five tons or greater. County Administrator Kevin Gentry noted that supervisors expect the lower rate to encourage more aircraft owners to base their planes at Hummel Field, with the resulting economic activity more than offsetting the $19,124 reduction in direct tax revenue. The airport currently handles 30 to 40 aircraft operations per day on average.

Tourism and Visitor Access

General aviation visitors represent a high-value segment of the visitor economy. They travel to specific destinations by choice, and the new terminal is designed to make Middlesex County a strong first impression.

“It’s the gateway to the county,” said Oscar Barber.

A Virginia’s River Realm tourism kiosk inside the terminal connects arriving pilots with local restaurants, lodging, attractions, and events. A courtesy vehicle is available on-site, and pre-scheduled ground transportation is available through Southern Belle Transportation.

Virginia’s River Realm’s Touch Down & Take Off campaign, developed in partnership with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, was built around Hummel Field as the entry point and Urbanna as the primary destination. Urbanna is a walkable historic port town roughly 15 minutes from the airfield. Chesapeake Inn sits in the center of town, placing visitors steps from waterfront dining, boutique shops, local museums, and the seasonal Pearl trolley. Pilots can take the on-site courtesy vehicle or pre-schedule a ride through Southern Belle Transportation, then leave the car behind entirely. The campaign promotes that full experience to pilots across the region through AOPA editorial coverage, digital advertising, and a sizzle reel.

Get the official PR Package from VRR for full details on the Touch Down & Take Off campaign. Use password insider2026VRR! to access.

Opportunities for Local Businesses

The new terminal creates direct access points for Middlesex businesses that want to reach fly-in visitors before they ever leave the airport.

Lodging partners have a direct opportunity to make the fly-in experience more convenient and more likely to convert. By formalizing transportation arrangements — whether that means offering their own courtesy pickup or coordinating pre-scheduled rides through Southern Belle Transportation — lodging properties can turn Hummel Field into a seamless arrival point rather than a logistical hurdle.

Restaurants, retail shops, and attractions can place print collateral in the terminal’s public gathering space, putting their information in front of visitors at the moment they arrive. And any business that wants to be part of the regional fly-in promotion can connect with Virginia’s River Realm to explore placement within the Touch Down & Take Off campaign.

The EDA is available to help local businesses identify the right entry point. Contact Trent Funkhouser at t.funkhouser@co.middlesex.va.us.

Looking Ahead

The new terminal gives Hummel Field infrastructure that reflects its role in the local economy. With a permanent facility in place, the county and the EDA are positioned to more actively direct fly-in visitor traffic toward Middlesex businesses and build on the airport’s economic contribution.