BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — The Bridgeport-based North Central West Virginia Airport is receiving $3.2 million in federals funds for parking infrastructure improvements as part of the new terminal construction and expansion of the AeroTech Industrial Park.
The improvements include four new parking lots that will create 600 new parking spaces, lighting, and storm water improvements. The investment will be matched with $795,322 in local funds.
Airport Director Rick Rock said this is very good news about the development and growth of the airport and business park on the grounds. As the businesses grow and are added, more students populate the aviation training programs, and a new terminal opens that will support more passengers; additional secure parking will be an important asset.
“This is an important piece of the puzzle moving forward—to create a lasting asset at a low cost for the traveling public,” Rock said. “We look forward to getting this thing in place and a new terminal building opened in the first quarter of 2025.”
“The Biden-Harris Administration recognizes that infrastructure is key to expanding economic opportunity across the country, including in Bridgeport,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “This investment will improve airport access, supporting the local aviation and tourism industries.”
Rock said the last five-year economic impact study showed the current economic impact of the airport at $1.1 billion. The number is likely to go up because a new five-year study is this year. Data gathered in 2019 for the West Virginia Aviation Economic Impact Study said the airport supports more than 10,000 jobs that have a payroll of more than $500 from businesses with reported revenues of more than $1.6 billion.
“We’ll be looking at it again and seeing how it continues to grow,” Rock said. “When I got here, it was at about $374 million, so it has continued to grow,” Rock said. “We have a lot of great companies up there and a great workforce.”
In the last few years, the airport has been working on a multi-phase project that will add 50 acres of airport space, additional commercial opportunities, and soon the new $25 million terminal will open. All of this economic capability is also just within a very short drive to I-79.
“We’ve really put ourselves in a position to continue to grow the airport and raise awareness of it,” Rock said. “It’s going to serve the communities of north central West Virginia for decades to come.”
The new terminal, on the grounds of the AeroTech Industrial Park, will have much more space, new aprons, and improved taxiways. The new and expanded parking will support the new terminal as well as the growing industrial park.
“This is integral to the terminal; it’s the parking facility for the terminal that will serve parts of the Aero Tech Business Park,” Rock said.