KEEPING IT GOING — The Hancock County commissioners Thursday agreed to continue the concessionaire agreement with CEMCO Inc. for the management of Kennedy Marina. The county recently received final approval of the agreement from the federal government. -- Craig Howell

NEW CUMBERLAND — Several months after awarding to bid, the Hancock County Commission appears to have received final approval from the federal government on the management agreement of the Kennedy Marina, with commissioners approving a new term to the agreement.

As part of Thursday’s regular meeting, commissioners agreed to renew the concessionaire agreement with CEMCO Inc. for the operations of Kennedy Marina, located in Newell, after receiving approval from the National Parks Service.

Commissioners sought new management for the marina last spring, awarding to contract to CEMCO in April, updating the agreement based on expectations of the company in May and again in August as a result of adjustments offered by the federal government.

Mike Lucas, assistant county prosecutor who served as legal counsel for the commission, explained what the county initially thought was approval from the federal government last year, was, in fact, only an administrative review. The most recent action was the legal review needed for the agreement, he said during Thursday’s meeting.

“This finally is what was initially submitted to them,” Lucas said.

Approval was needed from the National Parks Service as the property was conveyed to the county in 2004 by the U.S. Department of Interior.

Under terms stipulated previously by the parks service, the concessionaire agreement does not allow the property to be sold by the commission to CEMCO.

As part of its bid last year, CEMCO proposed payment of $4,000 per month to the county, along with a development plan for improvements to the marina property. Among those plans is the establishment of a restaurant.

Commission President Eron Chek confirmed the agreement will be in effect through 2028. The initial term was from April to Dec. 20, with renewal options for five three-year terms to follow.

Located along state Route 2 in Newell, Kennedy Marina offers a campground and marina, with recreational vehicle sites, sewer hook ups, tent sites, seasonal boat dockage, and daily dock space, along with a concession stand, vending machines, laundry facilities, bath house camping and more.

Commissioners began searching for a new concessionaire after terminating the county’s agreement with the former concessionaire approximately one year ago, citing concerns with maintenance of the property and issues of non-payment.