Long before Andy Lang was elected Bridgeport’s mayor and long before David Hinkle was elected to the Harrison County Commission, members of the Benedum Airport Authority have tried for years to find a way to level a “mountain” on the side of the runway opposite of the terminal building.

 

On Wednesday, there was a hint that there may be progress being made. The Authority, the governing body at the North Central West Virginia Airport, met for its monthly meeting and President Ron Watson briefly talked about the removal of the large hillside that would create dozens of acres of land for development.

 

“I can tell you that we’ve been working on that for as long as I’ve been here,” said Watson, who has served for more than a decade on the Authority. “It probably goes back further than that.”

 

Watson added that it’s possible there could be “something big” in the works. What that involves, however, isn’t being publicly discussed.

 

The Authority went into executive session to hear from Lang and Hinkle on the matter. Lang and Hinkle are on the point men involved on trying to make something happen. However, Watson did ask Hinkle to make some brief statements about what they’ve been doing to head in that direction that has produced nothing but dead ends.

 

“We’ve been meeting every Monday for about four or five weeks,” said Hinkle on the matter. “ … We think we have some good ideas moving forward to get that accomplished.”

 

Hinkle and Lang said several groups are involved. Among the groups participating, Hinkle said, is the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex. The MAAC serves as a marketing branch for the aerospace businesses situated at the NCWV Airport and also several high-placed board members.

 

What was discussed in executive sessions is unknown, but the matter did have to deal with advance construction planning. Watson said no action was taken coming out of the executive session pertaining to the matter with the land in question.

 

Wednesday’s meeting was held at the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center. 
 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang, left, and Harrison County Commissioner David Hinkle, both members of the Airport Authority, discussing matters at Wednesday's meeting. Bottom photo shows Authority President and Harrison County Commission President Ron Watson addressing an issue.