Connect Bridgeport
Ad
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeRSS
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Community
    • Community News
    • Anniversaries
    • Announcements
    • Arts & Entertainment
    • Calendar
    • Churches
    • Clubs & Organizations
    • Directory
    • Farmer's Market
    • File Complaint
    • Greeting Cards
    • Library
    • Lost And Found
    • Obituaries
    • Parks & Recreation
    • Sponsorships
  • Trading Post
    • For Sale
    • Local Deals
    • Services
    • Yard Sales
  • Visitors
  • Relocation
  • Education
  • Jobs
  • Alumni
Ad

Capito Visits NCWV Airport; Utilizes City Stop to Tour Citynet Center to Get Vision for Other Sport Facilities

By Jeff Toquinto on October 04, 2022

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito was in Bridgeport and throughout North Central West Virginia on Monday. And according to her press office, she was there to take part in a roundtable talk on economic development opportunities and projects at the North Central West Virginia Airport.
 
While that held true, Capito (R-W.Va.) did more than just visit and talk about the ongoing success at the NCWV Airport. Capito also made a stop to The Bridge Sports and Recreation Complex and went inside the $50 million Citynet Center.
 
“What a magnificent facility,” said Capito, who praised many of the features of the Citynet Center such as the climbing wall.
 
Capito’s visit was two-fold. First, she wanted to see the investment in the tens of millions of dollars made by Bridgeport and talk about how it is another economic driver for the region and state.
 
“Parents and families travel a lot for their children’s sports. I know I did with mine and it’s even more (now), she said. “… It’s great to promote family friendly sports and tournaments. You get the hotel, the restaurants. That facility is just magnificent. It is very exciting to see.”
 
It is “magnificent” enough for Capito to see it to get an idea of what is coming to Charleston. In August, the Capital Sports Center, which will be located in the site of the former Macy’s at the Charleston Town Center Mall, was announced.
 
“I wanted to see what kind of vision a downtown Charleston sports complex could have,” said Capito. “They have some different ideas, but it is basically the same thing to be a magnet for a lot of things.”
 
Capito said that project would also come with a hefty price tag. She said it would run $80 million.
 
The main focus of the Bridgeport visit was to talk about the airport and its ongoing terminal project. The project also will be in the tens of millions of dollars when completed, and Capito said it will see plenty of spinoff economic activity in existing businesses and at the future Aerotech Business Park near the terminal site.
 
“I see phenomenal growth,” said Capito, who talked about MHI RJ (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Regional Jet) expanded facility going up near the existing terminal.
 
Capito met with Benedum Airport Authority members, local officials from Harrison and surrounding counties, elected officials, and others. The discussion at the airport, she said, focused on how it is growing, the economic driver it is for the region, and the need to find workers to fill positions that will be coming in droves.
 
“We need more workers here,” she said. “… We have workforce shortages everywhere. It’s no different here at the airport.”
 
As for the airport, Capito is aware of the $1 billion-plus economic impact it has on the region – something many may be unaware of due to its thriving aviation and aerospace components. And she added that maintaining air service is critical for that impact to continue.
 
“You also have to look at preserving commercial air traffic … That’s important to maintain,” said Capito.
 
The airport saw a full flight of 50 passengers flying to Chicago through United Express as Capito spoke, which is the result of the FAA federally subsidized Essential Air Service (EAS) program. While that service ends Dec. 1, daily jet service to a major hub – Charlotte starting Dec. 1 – for connections will continue due to EAS. That subsidy is something she said is a constant battle in Congress and provided $5 million-plus to make the new Charlotte service possible.

“(EAS) helps (rural) airports like North Central to keep that service and maintain it … (EAS) is always under fire,” said Capito. “There are always airports in danger of losing their service. I’m always fighting for our West Virginia airports, North Central included, to preserve that service because if we don’t have that service, we’re not going to be able to grow businesses, we’re not going to be able to keep people here if they can’t have access to larger airports … You can’t understate it.”
 
Editor's Note: Top photo shows U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito addressing the media, while she covers over notes in the bottom photo as Benedum Airport Authority member and Harrison County Commission David Hinkle looks on. 

Share

Leave a Comment
Login or register

Leave a Comment

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up/stay connected

Create your profile to start adding photos, posting comments, and more.

SIGN UP

Ad
Ad

Related Articles

  • Photos: A Look Back at Final Steel Beam being Put in Place at New Terminal Building for NCWV Airport
  • Popular Allegiant Destination Flight Shuttled in August Set to Return as Airport Passenger Numbers Good
  • Final Steel Beam Set on New NCWV Airport Terminal as Work on Roof, Interior of $25M Project to Begin

Blogs [ view all ]

  • Photo

    From the Bench: John Wilfong Sees Ironma...

    It is not as if Bridgeport’s John Wilfong has never seen a busy schedule. After all, the 2015 graduate of Bridge...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

  • Photo

    It's Happening: Local Attraction Series ...

    Just on the edge of Bridgeport is an attraction appropriately named Edge of Town Farm Market. Open annually in May, the ma...

    Posted by Julie Perine

  • Photo

    Off the Shelf: Library has New Touch of ...

    If you have visited our Children’s Library recently, you may have noticed something new adorning our walls! Arti...

    Posted by Savanna Draper

  • Photo

    The Grapevine: Canning for Winter, Veget...

    Well, the Queen cupboard is getting full in preparation for winter.  I have canned six pints of fried peppers to...

    Posted by Rosalyn Queen

  • Photo

    ToquiNotes: State Tragedy Subject of Alu...

    Many know Scott Faris from his days at Bridgeport High School before he graduated in 2004 and left the area to pursue...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

  • Photo

    Why Bridgeport? City Doesn't Need Sherlo...

    How are your detective skills? Do you have a keen eye for detail? Does your memory retain copious amounts of data and info...

    Posted by Jon Griffith

  • Photo

    Outside the Tribe: Colors Don't Define T...

    I’ve been fortunate enough to be present for a lot of the Bridgeport matchups with Fairmont Senior through the years...

    Posted by Chris Johnson

Calendar [ view all ]

Mon
25

Bridgeport City Council Meeting

Wed
27

Hooks & Needles

Wed
27

Tech Savvy: Internet Basics

 



Bridgeport, WV
Editorial Board Advertise Privacy Policy Contact Us
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeRSS

©2014 Connect Bridgeport.