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
Ad

Related Articles

  • Four NCWV Airport Daily Service Provider Proposals Feature "Big Three" Airlines Flying Out of Bridgeport
  • TSA Announces End of "Shoes Off" Screening Policy

Blogs [ view all ]

  • Photo

    From the Bench: Past Players, Community ...

    For perhaps the first time ever, former players and eventually members of the community will have a chance to own a pi...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

  • Photo

    Time Travel: Bridgeport High School Bask...

    This photo, courtesy of Frank Yerkey, is of him lining up a picture perfect jump shot from the baseline in 1962 again...

    Posted by Dick Duez

  • Photo

    It's Happening: Baylor Comes Home

    Many have been following the journey of 2-year-old Baylor Waggamon since early-2025 when he was awaiting a heart transplan...

    Posted by Julie Perine

  • Photo

    ToquiNotes: When a Thank You Simply is N...

    Sometimes, a thank you is not enough. Being able to look back with a little clearer mind in recent days, I do not beli...

    Posted by Jeff Toquinto

  • Photo

    The Grapevine: New Book Review Features ...

    Arrivederci is a cookbook that I compiled and made available to the public around 2000. The book was an immediate succ...

    Posted by Rosalyn Queen

Calendar [ view all ]

Fri
18

Bridgeport Cattle Battle

Sat
19

Mario Kart Tournament (Bridgeport Public Library)

Fri
25

Christmas in July at Bridgeport City Pool

 



Bridgeport, WV
Editorial Board Advertise Privacy Policy Contact Us
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeRSS

©2014 Connect Bridgeport.