There’s a new business coming into Bridgeport. And it’s going into a place that’s been thriving for the last few years.

 

At this month’s Benedum Airport Authority meeting, Enterprise Rent-A-Car announced it will be opening shop inside the terminal at the North Central West Virginia Airport. They will join Hertz and Avis, who already hold terminal space at the facility.

 

Like Avis, who also provides service for Budget, Enterprise will represent two other brands as well. Enterprise Area Manager Matt Houghton said individuals will also be able to make reservations through National Rental and Alamo Rent-A-Car rental agencies through the soon-to-open Bridgeport location.

 

The good news, according to Houghton, is that Enterprise will not be closing its existing location in Harrison County. Currently, Enterprise has a location at the Eastpointe Plaza in Clarksburg.

 

The better news, however, may be that the economic conditions at the airport led to Enterprise opting to come to the facility. In fact, Enterprise is actually returning to do business in Bridgeport years after it departed and things dried up.

 

“We have grown the market … We feel like this is the right move to put our footprint back into the airport,” said Houghton.

 

Houghton said the move was sparked because of the airport having destination flights with Allegiant Airlines. He said Alamo, one of the brands under the Enterprise umbrella, has a preferred provider arrangement with the airline.

 

“We’ve been trying to provide serve the best we could from our location on Emily Drive, but that’s not the best plan to serve the consumer,” said Houghton.

 

Houghton addressed members of the Benedum Airport Authority during their monthly meeting April 18 at the North Central West Virginia Airport Terminal Building. He spoke prior to the Authority being asked to approve a lease with Enterprise. The Authority unanimously agreed to approve the lease.

 

Houghton and NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock both talked about getting the new business in place sooner as opposed to later. Rock said this will provide even more services to the flying public, as well as others looking to rent vehicles.

 

“I think from the conversations we’ve had we’re going to move forward as quickly as possible,” said Rock.  “This is good news for our airport and the community … Having three new brand is a positive. We now have six brands to choose from.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Enterprise's Matt Houghton at last week's Airport Authority meeting, while NCWV Director Rick Rock talks to the Authority below as Shawn Long listens in the background. Below shows the two existing rental car spaces on the left and right with Enterprise to man the center spot.