Miller , president of the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex . “ In 2009 , CKB conducted a study that revealed its impact on the West Virginia economy was $ 395 million . This benchmark allowed us to measure where we were at that point in time and gave us a place to determine what we needed to do to continue to create a positive impact .”
The most recent 2019 data showed CKB ’ s economic impact at $ 1.1 billion . The airport ’ s five-year growth plan includes a terminal relocation and aerospace park development that will create 100 acres of park adjacent to a 7,800-foot runway , with a goal of reaching $ 2 billion in annual economic impact .
“ When the WVAC finalizes its statewide economic impact study , it will be another powerful benchmark ,” says Miller . “ This will enable every airport and aviation and aerospace job creator to have data and analysis to plan for the future and , most importantly , enable us to continue to tell our story — that almost heaven West Virginia is an important and significant contributor of aviation to the world .”
In August 2020 , the U . S . Department of Transportation ( DOT ) announced $ 3 million to expand the economic impact of the state ’ s airports . While these funds would traditionally be part of the FAA ’ s Airport Improvement Program , some of the funds were allocated as part of the pandemic-related CARES Act instead .
“ The U . S . DOT and the FAA are great federal partners in providing funding to maintain and improve the infrastructure of airports across West Virginia ,” says Hill . “ These funds have been extremely important to our airports because they , in most instances , do not require the traditional 10 % local match . This means airports will still be able to complete programs to improve their infrastructure while adjusting for the realities associated with the impact COVID-19 has had on air transportation .”
The most recent economic impact study of the state ’ s airports was conducted more than 30 years ago , according to Hill . That is about to change with a new study expected to be published by the WVAC in 2021 . It is supported by a grant from the FAA and will collectively analyze the annual impact of all 24 airports in the state ’ s aviation system .
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