NORWICH – Plans for not one but three businesses that would have generated much-needed revenue for Warren Eaton Airport have failed to take off.

Chenango County’s $5 million insurance liability policy, as required by the county’s attorney and insurance consultants, have scared the potential renters away, said Donald MacIntosh, the county’s airport administrator.

A local leather upholstery business, a mechanic that would have resulted from the upholsterer’s business, and a New Jersey-based environmentally-friendly paint-stripping business have all ended contract negotiations with Chenango County officials.

The Chenango County Board of Supervisors had stipulated a three-year lease on t-hangar rentals at a monthly rental fee of approximately $13,000 per year. For the $5 million for insurance, a renter would be obligated to pay an additional $18,000 a year.

The owners of the seven-year old upholstery business, which could ultimately have resulted in more aircraft traffic, fuel sales, a need for mechanical services and possibly more jobs at the airport, said they could afford only $1 million in coverage. MacIntosh said the paint stripping business never responded after learning the liability rate.

MacIntosh reported the news at a meeting of the Finance Committee earlier this month. Negotiations with the upholstery business continued up until recently, when the county decided to stay with its offer.

Finance Committee Vice Chairman Dennis Brown said he was surprised that the company pulled out over $6,000. “So that was the deal breaker?” he asked.

Other supervisors, including David C. Law R-Norwich, James J. McNeil, D-City of Norwich and Ross P. Iannello, unaffiliated-New Berlin, succeeded in keeping the business prospects viable through the winter, suggesting a small business loan and other funding alternatives. At Finance, the supervisor from Lincklaen, Wayne C. Outwater, said, “I can’t see that amount for upholstery (on an airplane), but the lawyer says we have to be held harmless.”