Marshall University and partners are set to receive $3 million from the Economic Development Administration (EDA) that will support the Aerospace, Resilience, Manufacturing and Operations for Readiness (ARMOR) coalition focused on aerospace manufacturing workforce development in West Virginia.
This award will establish a national hub for aerospace and defense innovation through airport renovations, equipment investments and curriculum development shared by Marshall and Tri-State Airport, among others.
U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito called the grant a major win for West Virginia and a tremendous investment in the state’s economy.
“I have worked tirelessly and constantly with the EDA to help secure this funding because I know the enormous potential West Virginia has to become a national leader in aerospace manufacturing, defense innovation, and workforce development,” Capito said. “This more than $3 million investment will help transform Huntington Tri-State Airport and Marshall University into a premier hub for cutting-edge aerospace training and innovation. This means the creation of hundreds of good-paying jobs and equipping West Virginians with the skills to compete in a rapidly growing industry. This is exactly the kind of transformative economic development opportunity I have championed throughout my time in the Senate, and I am incredibly proud to have helped bring it home.”
According to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick the funding will support nearly 600 jobs and will expand the state’s technical abilities, benefits applauded by West Virginia’s governor.
“I want to thank President Trump, Secretary Lutnick, and our federal partners for their continued commitment to economic development in West Virginia,” said Governor Patrick Morrisey. “The ARMOR initiative will help strengthen our aerospace and defense industries by expanding workforce training, improving aviation infrastructure, and preparing West Virginians for good-paying jobs in these growing fields. I congratulate Marshall University and the entire ARMOR coalition for their work in bringing this project together.”
Dr. Brandon Dennison, vice president for economic development and workforce development at Marshall, said West Virginia is ready to meet a national need.
“Local businesses have supplied the parts and components needed by our military over many generations,” Dennison said. “ARMOR will build on this proud tradition by helping to modernize the supply chain for our country’s national defense sector. Importantly, this project will invest in training the workforce needed for defense-based and aerospace jobs of the future. In leading this project, Marshall University will help keep our local businesses on the cutting edge and ensure quality jobs for many more generations to come.”
