It’s been a little more than two months since Bombardier Commercial Aircraft formally announced massive expansion that one Bridgeport City officials said could exceed $40 million. Although things have been quiet since the Nov. 15 press conference at Bombardier’s Bridgeport location, that doesn’t mean the process isn’t moving forward.

 

A big step was taken Wednesday afternoon to help facilitate the expansion. During a meeting of the Benedum Airport Authority – the governing body of the North Central West Virginia Airport – approved a lease proposal to be sent to Bombardier for their review, comments and potential approval.

 

“The lease already has the approval of the FAA,” said NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock of the 25-year proposal that was crafted by Authority Counsel Dean Ramsey.

However, at this point it’s a proposal. Bombardier, which is fairly standard, will likely make alterations before a final lease proposal is put in place.

 

Bombardier’s Bridgeport operation is already substantial in size. During the November announcement, Todd Young, the vice president and general manager of customer services for Bombardier, said the facility will more than double in size. Currently, the company that handles maintenance contracts for aircraft, with go from its existing 145,000 square foot facility to one approximately of 300,000 square feet.

 

The size increase will also see a doubling of the work that will be done there. Young announced that the facility, which he said operates fully staffed on a 24/7 basis, will go from operating at 500,000 man hours per year to 1 million per year. To do that, the company will go from nine maintenance lines to 20.

 

While  the lease to provide the space on the terminal side of the runway was given the green light, Authority member Mike Romano said that if the projected completion of the project later in 2018 takes place that as many as 150 new jobs will need  filled.

 

“We need to get started on this now,” said Romano, who as a State Senator was intimately involved in helping work to secure the Bombardier expansion in Bridgeport as opposed to other locations.

 

Romano turned to Tom Stose, the director of the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center, who is responsible for turning out dozens of FAA-certified workers annually at his robust program. However, even with full classes available between now and the 2018 deadline Romano said that there won’t be enough workers available locally to meet Bombardier’s needs, which could grow above the number.

 

“We need you to let us know what resources you need to make this happen,” said Romano.

 

Stose, who has been the state’s advocate for informing the populace on educational and job opportunities in the aerospace field, agreed to jump in.

 

The lease wasn’t the only issue handled to facilitate the expansion of Bombardier. Rock was directed to prepare an RFP (request for proposal) to handle demolitions, removes trees and fences. Among the areas to be demolished are hangars and houses that sit on airport property.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Attorney Dean Ramsey talking briefly about the Bombardier lease as Authority President Ron Watson looks on in the background. Authority member Mike Romano is shown in the middle photo while Tom Stose, the director of the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center, is shown below.