The North Central West Virginia Airport got some good news today. U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced the facility has been awarded a seven-figure grant from the Federal Aviation Administration under the U.S. Department of Transportation.

 

“This is good news, and something we’ve been waiting for,” said NCW Airport Director Rick Rock.

 

The good news comes in the form of a $2,162,959 grant going to the Benedum Airport Authority. The BAA is the airport’s governing body. The funding will be used to help construct the new $25 million terminal building at the airport.

 

“Since we started, we’ve get an eye on our project scope and our budget and work with our own team and our elected delegation to position ourselves to benefit from these federal programs,” said Rock.

 

The money will help pay for the terminal building itself, which comes with a price tag of $25,347,000. The price is the result of a bid awarded to Mascaro Construction of Pittsburgh on Dec. 13. A permit has not yet been filed, but would is expected to get started in the weeks and months ahead.

 

“The terminal has a been a great project that has witnessed local, state, and federal support,” said Rock. “We think it’s going to be an economic driver for the entire state of West Virginia.”

 

Already, the airport has roughly $20 million in federal grants for the terminal. Rock said they are anticipating the very real possibility of more.

 

The $25 million figure listed above is for the terminal only. Other projects include costs for design, infrastructure, aprons, taxiways, parking lots, jet bridges, and more. Rock said there will be eight contracts involved to complete the entire project.

 

While there are multiple grants already awarded, Manchin and Capito announced last June that the airport was awarded $2,523,585 to funding the designing and construction of a 1,200-foot taxiway and a new terminal tarmac.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is a shot of NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock, while Benedum Airport Authority member and Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang looks over the plans for the terminal apron below.