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BRIDGEPORT – The aerospace industry in north-central Virginia continues to grow and develop – creating more jobs, opportunities and business in an economic sector that already has an annual economic impact of more than one billion dollars on the region.
In addition to the flourishing airport in north-central West Virginia, the region's aerospace industry includes businesses of all sizes. Among them are some of the biggest aviation names in the world, such as Bombardier, Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney.
Ron Watson, president of the Benedum Airport Authority, the governing body of the airport, said he remains impressed by the rapid growth of the local aerospace sector.
"I think we are looking for bigger and better things at the airport," he said. "We are on a roll and with the 2,000 jobs we have on the market, with an economic impact of over a billion dollars, I think 2019 will explode and we will be even better."
While he said he could not discuss details, airport officials are in talks with other companies considering moving to the airport property, Watson said.
"We are already considering the possible arrival of other companies," he said. "We are here shaking up ideas, marketing and telling our story."
The most recent company to call the property from the airport is that of Chesapeake Bay Helicopters.
The national utility-based commercial helicopter company began operating a satellite base at Bridgeport Airport in March.
Justin Prickett, one of Chesapeake's pilots, said the company offers a wide range of services.
"We are primarily a utility company. We work with inspections of power lines and pipelines. We do a lot of aerial mapping in 3D, "he said. "We're also a 135 operator, which means we can carry pbadengers, so we do a little bit too."
The company's base in West Virginia was previously at Charleston's Yeager Airport, Prickett said.
"Most of our customers are based around this area. There are a lot of things in the pipelines and power lines that are based here, "he said.
"It was a bit obvious for us to come in that direction," he said.
Prickett said Chesapeake had relations with the aircraft repair company Engine Airframe Solutions Worldwide, which is also based at the airport.
"They are my old friends," he said. "The other day we had a little problem to fix. And normally, if you do not have a local representative who can handle this, you're out of service for a few days. But it was 15 minutes later and they were there with all the equipment to fix it.
The central location of the airport made it an ideal partner, said Winston Chelf, chief operating officer and chief pilot of Chesapeake.
"We just love the hospitality of the people of the area. All the amenities that are just minutes from the airport are excellent value for money. For us, our staff and our customers, the move made sense, "he said. "The staff at NCWV (airport) was more than accommodating as we sought to transfer our operations. They really did their best to help us. "
The Chesapeake Bay helicopters are bringing diversification to the growing portfolio of aerospace-related companies around the airport, said director Rick Rock.
"We have helicopter traffic and we have already worked with some of them, but it 's the first time, certainly since my arrival, that we have a helicopter presence based at. airport, "he said.
Airport administrators are making progress on another project to attract other businesses to the airport property, the Benedum Logistics Park.
The park, which will be built on a five-acre lot southeast of the runway, will be built one building at a time and could possibly contain up to five structures of 20,000 square feet or less.
Funding for the initial development of the site, including the construction of an access road and the installation of utilities, as well as the construction of the first building, will be partially funded by a $ 1.7 million grant from the University. American Economic Development Authority that the airport received in November.
The grant will provide approximately 80% of the funds for the first phase of the project and the Benedum Airport Authority will provide the remaining 20%, or $ 426,000.
A 10-year estimate, based on the peak potential of the park at its peak, shows that it could support up to 340 jobs and generate up to $ 8 million in additional private investment.
The development will allow a new category of small aerospace companies, such as suppliers, to call the airport and provide ancillary services to current tenants at the Benedum Industrial Park, Rock said.
"I think what's exciting is that it increases the ability of companies that support the aerospace industry to enter," he said. "Most aerospace industries do not necessarily need access to the runway. A large number of companies can step in to support our existing businesses, be it Bombardier or Pratt & Whitney. "
The focus on small businesses will allow start-ups and new businesses to be part of the local aerospace industry, Rock said.
"This gives an opportunity for the entrepreneur to develop at the airport, and we hope to inspire those who are there to grow and think outside their current field, and this shows that we want to be part of complex, "he said. . "These five acres are there and we made it a priority in our planning and think it's an excellent use of the property."
Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang, a member of the AMF and a member of the Special Projects Committee, said the park plan was developed in response to comments from tenants at the current airport.
"Whenever we visited people – Bombardier, EASW (Global Aerospace Solutions), Pratt & Whitney, Aurora – all their answers were that there was not enough room here and they wished that There is a space where they could try to develop their businesses, "he said. "It's all about stocking equipment, doing off-site manufacturing, off-site repair work, there's just not enough room in our facilities."
Tracy Miller, president of the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex, an organization promoting the region's aerospace industry, said the park's construction was a long-term project that would provide opportunities for small businesses in West Virginia.
"It's for small suppliers. These are the people who do business with our world-renowned companies, "she said. "Look where Boeing is, look at where Lockheed Martin is, look where Bombardier is and look at where Pratt & Whitney is. These four businesses exist in Harrison County and existing suppliers who already work with them have opportunities, and work with these companies continues to grow and other opportunities are on the horizon. "
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