Long-Time NCWV Airport Tenant Likely to Expand its Operations after Submitting Bid for Vacant Building
By Jeff Toquinto on March 22, 2019 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
It appears property formerly occupied by a long-time tenant at the North Central West Virginia Airport will soon be occupied by another long-time tenant of the airport.
On Wednesday the Benedum Airport Authority (the airport’s governing body), opened a pair of bids to occupy the property formerly held by 
KCI Aviation. Initially, the plan was to take the space and turn it into a new multi-million dollar terminal. That plan was scrapped last month when it was learned a funding request to the FAA to cover the bulk of the cost was turned down.
KCI Aviation. Initially, the plan was to take the space and turn it into a new multi-million dollar terminal. That plan was scrapped last month when it was learned a funding request to the FAA to cover the bulk of the cost was turned down.
That led to the Authority to opt to look at leasing the now vacant space, which resulted in the bids. The bids came from Bombardier and AirTech LLC, which was described at Wednesday’s Authority meeting as a Kentucky-based entity that also does business in Upshur County.
Authority President Ron Watson had member David Hinkle open up the AirTech bid. Member Ernie VanGilder opened up the Bombardier bid.
Bombardier, the existing client with a sizable presence on the same side of the runway, produced a bid that included a monthly rent of 
$12,500. While AirTech’s bid was in the same range based on what they would pay for square footage, their bid was rejected as it asked the Authority to waive rent for the first year on the 26,000 square-foot building.
$12,500. While AirTech’s bid was in the same range based on what they would pay for square footage, their bid was rejected as it asked the Authority to waive rent for the first year on the 26,000 square-foot building.
“I’m not interested in giving anybody a year’s free rent in that building,” said long-time Authority member Roger Diaz, who voiced his issues by phone. “As far as I am concerned we only have one viable bid.”
Members of the Authority agreed. They passed a motion dismissing the AirTech bid.
The Bombardier bid will now be reviewed by the Airport Authority’s leasing committee. The Authority asked that a recommendation be made to formally accept or reject the bid during their April meeting.
There was no discussion on what Bombardier would use the space for. However, last year Bombardier announced plans for a massive expansion at the airport.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Authority President Ron Watson, left, watching member David Hinkle read a bid, while Watson hands Ernie VanGilder a bid to open below at Wednesday's meeting.
