Photo by Yeager Airport .
Engines of Economic Development
West Virginia ’ s Airports
KATLIN SWISHER , PH . D .
The aerospace industry is one of West Virginia ’ s fastestgrowing economic generators . With nearly $ 2 billion generated in annual economic impact , airports and related aerospace companies are critical components of the state ’ s economy .
“ West Virginia has a long and proud aviation history . It has never been easier to get to our beautiful state , and that is important to continue to diversify our economy ,” says Richard Rock , president of the West Virginia Airport Managers Association and director of the North Central West Virginia Airport ( CKB ). “ Our airports serve as gateways to the world , powerful job creators and necessary economic engines .”
According to the West Virginia University Bureau of Business and Economic Research ’ s 2020-2024 Economic Outlook Report , aerospace equipment is expected to be the fastestgrowing manufacturing subsector in terms of job creation . This assessment reflects Northrop Grumman Corporation ’ s ongoing expansion of the Allegheny Ballistic Laboratory in Mineral County as well as the continued growth of the aircraft parts and broader aviation industry in North Central West Virginia .
One of the reasons this industry has seen so much recent success is the proximity of many aerospace companies to nearby airports .
“ When it comes to economic development in the aerospace sector , an industry that West Virginia has quietly achieved a great deal of success in , being in close proximity to an airport is paramount ,” says Sean Hill , director of the West Virginia Aeronautics Commission ( WVAC ). “ The majority of West Virginia ’ s aerospace companies are located extremely close to our airports .”
Airports are West Virginia ’ s key to accessing the rest of the world , making them a factor in the growth of other economic sectors and the recruitment of new talent to the state .
“ Airports transport people from West Virginia to anywhere in the world , and just as important , our airports are many times the first impression visitors from other states have of West Virginia ,” says Hill . “ It is imperative in today ’ s global economy that you can present easily accessible and convenient locations for individuals to fly into when it comes to attracting new business . You would be hard pressed to find a business that is located in the state that does not rely on some form of aviation for the transportation of people and / or goods .”
There are 24 Mountain State airports in the Federal Aviation Administration ’ s ( FAA ) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems . These airports receive funding from federal and state sources for projects to maintain and improve their infrastructure . The state has seven commercial airports where the public can purchase tickets to fly to a destination : CKB ,
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