Photo above – Governor Jim Justice (right), looks on as West Virginia Aeronautics Director Sean Hill addresses attendees.
Airports in West Virginia recently received a funding boost. Gov. Jim Justice, Secretary of Transportation Byrd White and Aeronautics Commission Director Sean Hill flew across the state on Monday to announce thousands of dollars in aeronautics grant funding to 11 state airports.
The grant award ceremonies were held at Huntington Tri-State Airport in Wayne County, Yeager Airport in Kanawha County, and Mercer County Airport near Bluefield – three of 11 airports statewide that have been awarded a combined total of $677,483 in grant funding.
Each of the grants come from Special Revenue, provided by the Aviation Fuel Tax. These grants will also make it possible for airports to secure $12,194,700 in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“Airports are our lifeblood – they’re the number one thing when it comes to growth in our communities,” Gov. Justice said. “And so, what we’ve tried to do, is we’ve tried to target our grant amounts so that we can then obtain additional federal amounts. That could turn this into big dollars and make things happen within our own state, within our own facilities.
“We have to put a paramount on safety. We’ve got to absolutely know that the economic engines of our communities are our airports. And we’ve got to have safe, good, quality airports. That’s all there is to it.”
With the support of Gov. Justice, the WVAC has now been able to award a combined total of $1,029,776 this fiscal year alone, with each of the state’s 24 airports receiving a portion of the grant funds.
Additionally, this month, the Governor issued a proclamation that formally recognizes October as General Aviation Appreciation Month in West Virginia.
“The Aeronautics Commission has witnessed an unprecedented level of support from Governor Justice and our federal partners,” WVAC Director Sean Hill said. “We’re thrilled that this latest batch of grant funding touches airports in every corner of the state. And with all the recent investment, the future of West Virginia’s air system is looking extremely bright.”
The complete list of WVAC grant awards is as follows:
Appalachian Regional Airport – Mingo County WVAC Funds from Fuel Tax: $13,537 Funds will be used to rehabilitate a combined total of 183,300 linear feet of the airport’s runway, taxiway, and apron. Additional FAA funding: $243,663
Braxton County Airport WVAC Funds from Fuel Tax: $46,779 Funds will be used to construct an 8-unit T-Hangar. Additional FAA funding: $842,026
Fairmont Municipal Airport – Marion County WVAC Funds from Fuel Tax: $5,100 Funds will be used on obstruction removal efforts. Additional FAA funding: $91,800
Grant County Airport WVAC Funds from Fuel Tax: $4,722 Funds will be used to design a 6-unit T-Hangar for future construction. Additional FAA funding: $85,000
Kee Field Airport – Wyoming County WVAC Funds from Fuel Tax: $19,845 Funds will be used to rehabilitate the airport’s runway. Additional FAA funding: $357,211
Mercer County Airport WVAC Funds from Fuel Tax: $46,029 Funds will be used to install a perimeter fence. Additional FAA funding: $828,528
Morgantown Municipal Airport – Monongalia County WVAC Funds from Fuel Tax: $56,470 Funds will be used on several various airfield upgrade projects. Additional FAA funding: $1,016,467
Philippi/Barbour County Regional Airport WVAC Funds from Fuel Tax: $4,944 Funds will be used to construct a Box Hangar facility. Additional FAA funding: $88,991
Huntington Tri-State Airport – Wayne County WVAC Funds from Fuel Tax: $325,072 Funds will be used to make improvements to airport drainage and the runway safety area. Additional FAA funding: $5,851,921
Upshur County Airport WVAC Funds from Fuel Tax: $8,485 Funds will be used to construct a building at the airport. Additional FAA funding: $152,723
Yeager Airport – Kanawha County WVAC Funds from Fuel Tax: $146,500 Funds will be used to make improvements to airport drainage. Additional FAA funding: $2,637,000
