For at least 15 years, and perhaps longer, North Central West Virginia Airport Director Rick Rock said discussion on how to adequately address the businesses located at the Benedum Industrial Park off of U.S. Route 50 has been a heavily debated issue. On Wednesday, a very firm step was taken to finally address the topic.

 

Rock asked for guidance for the Benedum Airport Authority – the airport’s governing body – on what steps to take regarding a new sign that would feature all of the businesses at the facility. The request comes not long after a new NCWV Airport sign costing roughly $10,000 was installed along U.S. Route 131.

 

“That sign has proven to be beneficial,” said Rock, who indicated that discussion on the matter likely dates back to at least 1990.

 

While that particular sign may be providing benefits, there was only one group that had to determine if it would go up, where it would go up and how much it would cost. The sign along U.S. Route 50 would involve multiple businesses that report to various landlords, said Rock.

 

Rock said the airport only serves as landlord to Pratt Whitney and EASW. He said the other businesses have a landlord in groups such as the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex and even Marshall University. Because of that, Rock is looking for financial contributions from all of the businesses, the airport and even the City of Bridgeport.

 

There were three ideas proposed. One, which would be similar in cost and design as the existing sign for the airport on Route 131, would be in the $10,000 range, but wouldn’t help with the problem of directing traffic to the correct side of the airport runway. The second option was to do a sign estimated to cost $68,000. A third option was to look at putting specifications together and putting a bid package together.

 

The majority of the discussion focused on the $68,000 option that would have places for all the individual businesses that would like to take part. However, Authority member Roger Diaz voiced a major concern over the sign.

 

“As designed, it’s a one-sided sign. Depending on what angle you place it, you won’t be able to see it from one direction on (U.S.) Route 50,” said Diaz. “I think we need to go with a double sided sign.”

 

Although Diaz and Authority member Jim Christie debated the merits of Diaz’s suggestion, the whole room broke out in laughter when it was realized that Christie and Diaz were both backing the exact same suggestion.

 

“I guess we agree,” Christie said with a smile.

 

Rock was directed by the Authority to see if the businesses – or perhaps their landlords – would like to have their names on the sign. Rock indicated the sign would be designed to handle future growth. It was also stated by Christie that there were several smaller businesses there that would want no part in the process, but that it shouldn’t stop the process from moving forward.

 

"This sign is not for marketing," said Rock. "It's a directional sign."

 

Although the number for the sign may sound high, Diaz suggested that by dividing the cost it shouldn’t be that much for each group. Considering the recent economic impact study by the airport showed the facility and its surrounding businesses had an annual impact of $1 billion, the price may be a small one to pay.

 

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Editor's Note: Roger Diaz goes over an rendering of a proposed sign to the Airport Industrial Park, while the rendering is shown up close in the second photo. Authority member Jim Christie gets ready to make a point during Wednesday's meeting in the bottom photo.