Steve: A serious question for you as a GA aviator. Since a runway
lengthening from 5,000 feet to 5,500 or 6,000 is not necessary for any
normal GA operations, wouldn't that mean the airport is trying to attract
the Net Jet crowd and the other fractional jet ownerships? That would be
my guess. Rumor around town has it that they have their eyes on Fed Ex
because the costs at BED are much higher (landing fees, fuel, etc....)

7,000 feet is considered a transport catagory runway. Look up Part 150
for runway specifications for different aircraft.
What makes you think 5,500 to 6,000 is not necessary for normal GA
aircraft and operations? Just because it isn't a jet doesn't mean there
isn't a requirement for it.
Twins have accellerate/stop distances requirements for aborted takeoffs.
An aircraft landing without brakes would have to roll the full length to
safely slow down.
And on and on. There are many more reasons.

If I'm correct, wouldn't that expansion actually harm the GA pilot
community that currently hangars their planes at the airport? Maybe the
GA pilots don't want the lengthening either?

Why do you think that?