By ANDY GARDNER
North Country Now

MASSENA -- A Nevada businessman at Wednesday's Town Council meeting said he wants to use low-cost power generated in Massena to make batteries.

"If you can buy power here for 2.7 cents per kilowatt and transport it by rail to Westchester County and sell it for 60 cents, that's a business," Yanni Tessav told the board. "I have a background in batteries ... I'm very eager to come here."

A business card he gave to board members and press identifies him as founder of the Henderson, Nev.-based Evrent company.

Tassev said he thinks Massena International Airport is a vital asset to bringing business to the region, regardless of who is the air carrier.

"For any business, this airport is very important. I would probably wouldn't be considering moving my business here if it wasn't for the airport," he said.

His remarks came after Massena resident Gina Snyder, who owns and operates the Blue Spruce Motel, questioned how much of a profit or loss the town takes from Massena International Airport.

Officials said the airport lost $163,000 last year, which is down from the loss faced in prior years.

Tassev said people shouldn't be looking at the government-operated airport in terms of profit and loss.

"Government builds infrastructure. It's not for profit," he said. "What this town needs is not a for-profit government, it's for-profit business.

"With jobs, that airport will get busier ... Looking at the bottom line of that airport makes no sense."

Tassev's remarks come a day after Mayor Tim Currier suggested either Massena or Ogdensburg airport needs to close, with the remaining one serving as a regional facility. He cited the total cash between local and federal money spent between both airports.

"I think we need a regional airport. I think we need to sit down with Ogdensburg and make a tough decision and one of the airports has to close," Currier said.

On Wednesday, Tassev also said he would be willing to donate a Tesla-brand electric car charger next to the charger, which isn't a Tesla, that is in the Town Hall parking lot.

"Driving an electric car from Boston to here is very difficult," he said. "I will donate to put a Tesla charger next to that one."