The North Central West Virginia Airport and its governing body, the Benedum Airport Authority, have been pretty solid in its efforts to land federal and state tax dollars to cover a large portion of the costs of the new airport terminal and AeroTech Park. And those effort continue.

 

Another step was taken to secure more dollars last week at the Harrison County Commission meeting. During the Jan. 25 meeting of the Harrison County Commission, a resolution was passed for a state grant that would result in an additional $550,000 for the project area.

 

The grant in question would come from the West Virginia State Industrial Access Road Fund. The request is for $400,000 and a required match of $150,000.

 

“This is one more thing we’re doing on the grant front, and that is to try and secure the Industrial Access Road grant,” said Harrison County Commissioner David Hinkle who is that body’s representative on the Benedum Airport Authority.

 

The roadway in question would be utilized for creating a roadway off of Jerry Dove Drive – State Route 279 – onto the property that would host the AeroTech Park. Hinkle said the roadway itself would only be about a quarter of a mile, but the potential funding would be beneficial in other areas.

 

“The big thing is getting the entrance done, lights, (getting the) interchange fixed, expanding the turn lanes,” said Hinkle, who said there is already federal money available as well. “The goal with this entire project is to come out of it debt free (outside of matching dollars that are required with many grants).”

 

The resolution is one of the first steps required to apply for the funds. In the resolution, it states the Commission President, Susan Thomas, will represent the county moving forward and provide the state the necessary information needed to the state to keep the process going into a determination is made. Hinkle said the Commission is handling the process because only county governments can apply for the funds.

 

“It’s one more piece of the pie,” said Hinkle.  

 

Hinkle said the road that would be built would go directly into the AeroTech Park. He said the road that would lead to the new terminal is part of a different project.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the AeroTech Park sign on display off of 279, while Commission and Benedum Airport Authority member David Hinkle is below.