Work on the site for new terminal and aerotech park at the North Central West Virginia Airport is not the only multi-million-dollar project to get started in recent months.

 

While the $50 million earth-moving project that will end up with the terminal and park is well under way, the opposite side of the runway is seeing a project in the $15 million range taking place. The project was brought up several times during Wednesday’s Benedum Airport Authority meeting, which serves as the airport’s governing body.

 

Work on two new hangars for MHI (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries) RJ Aviation is taking place, NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock said Wednesday. The project, funded through the airport, will see MHI lease the hangars once completed for a term of at least 15 years.

 

“Hangar one is the one being focused on right now and once it is complete work will start on building two,” said Rock. “All the steel is one site … and foundations are being poured. We’re starting to get to the construction and the weather and work has been favorable so far.”

 

Rock said the timeline for the first hangar is 10 months. Work on both hangars – that are roughly 50,000 square feet each – is expected to be finished in 20 months.

 

The new hangars will be able to handle additional maintenance work at the facility and will, officials have said, lead to additional jobs and job security. That maintenance work needs direct runway access.

 

Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang, who also sits on the Authority, brought up the project.

 

“Construction schedule seems to be healthy,” said Lang. “They’re have a few issues with their subs (sub-contractors), but that will be an ongoing issue.”

 

The Thrasher Group, said Lang, is handling the design.

 

The meeting also included a surprise visit from West Virginia State Treasurer Riley Moore. Moore talked in length about the Jumpstart Savings Program, which is the first program of its kind in the nation. The program, according to a previous press release from Gov. Jim Justice, allows individuals who wish to pursue a vocation or trade, ranging from welding to cosmetology, to make tax-free contributions to a savings and investment account up to $25,000 each year.

 

However, it was Moore’s past work history that may prove beneficial to the airport. Moore’s previous employment was in the aviation industry, and he let the Authority know how important what was taking place in Bridgeport and why the area could be ripe for expansion.

 

Moore told those gathered he still had close contacts in the industry, including those that are global players. He said he would assist the NCWV Airport in any way he could.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the work site for the new hangars, while State Treasurer Riley Moore is shown in the second photo. Bottom photo is of Authority member and Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang.