During the public comment section of Tuesday’s Benedum Airport Authority meeting, one of the aerospace company business owners at the North Central West Virgnia Airport unveiled more good economic news for the local industry.

 

Ed Waske, one of the owners of EASW (Engine and Airframe Solutions Worldwide, LLC), announced that they had entered into a multi-year, multi-million-dollar contract agreement with a company that specializes in business jets.

 

Waske took a moment to thank the Authority, the governing body of the NCWV Airport, for their ongoing support of EASW and helping with storage and other needs as this contract was being negotiated. The industry, for those who have not been paying attention, has an annual economic impact easily exceeding $1 billion.

 

“We’ll be bringing in close to two aircraft per week and we’re pretty much booked the rest of the year,” Waske told Authority members. “We’ll still be doing our road trips.”

 

It should be noted that EASW has already done work for the company in question, which is listed as the first private business jet charter and aircraft management company in the world going back to the 1960s. However, now the company will be bringing part of their maintenance needs on jets to Bridgeport.

 

The move required additional hires of two workers, while two more are being recruited. The staff will be needed to oversee the additional work, most of which will be done by EASW. Work is being completed with Pratt & Whitney as part of the constructive collaboration of companies working together in the aerospace sector in the city.

 

Waske said they will still travel to do work, as their name suggests – worldwide. Along with traveling across the country, the company has done work on most continents and will continue to do so.

The Authority acted on another item of business involving Waske, who heads up the annual Carl Hopkins Youth Aviation Expo. The Authority approved a $5,000 grant for the event and also approved $10,000 to Palatine Park in Marion County and its upcoming summer entertainment schedule. It should be noted that the NCWV Airport is jointly owned by the Harrison and Marion County Commissions.

 

Also on Tuesday, the Authority accepted the most recent audit done on its operations. The audit has yet to be approved.

 

The BAA heard from Tracy Miller of the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex. Miller talked about the Pierpont Community & Technical College Aviation Career Fair that took place Thursday, April 11 in Bridgeport.

 

Miller called it a “huge success.” She said companies from in state and out of state attended as the stakeholders at the aerospace sector continue to work to try and fill current and future career jobs that will be available locally and afar.

 

As for the new terminal, the authority will soon be going out to bid on the apron, taxiway, jet bridge, baggage handling, and furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E). While FAA dollars will pay for a good portion of those projects, NCWV Airport Director Shawn Long and Deputy Director Shawn Long also got permission to seek grant money for the parking lot and ramps associated with it.

 

The work in that area could reach up to $3.5 million. Rock said they will pursue other grants, some that may require a 50 percent match, to manage those needs that will not be covered all or even partially by FAA Funds.

 

More about this meeting in the days and weeks ahead.

 

Editor's Note: Top two photos show workers at EASW in Bridgeport working on a jet that recently arrived, while the third photo shows Tracy Miller with MAAC addressing the Benedum Airport Authority. Bottom photo shows NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock pointing out some of the parking areas where grant money will look to be acquired to help fund the project.