June 16, 2021

Manchin Applauds Mitsubishi Expansion At North Central Regional Airport Business Park

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) applauded Mitsubishi’s expansion of their West Virginia Service Center at the North Central Regional Airport Aerotech Business Park. The expansion includes an investment of $20 million and will add 100,000 square feet to the Mitsubishi hangars. Construction of the Aerotech Business Park is estimated to create more than 1,000 jobs and double the annual economic impact of the airport to over $2 billion.
 
“Mitsubishi’s expansion at the North Central Regional Airport Aerotech Business Park is another round of fantastic news for the North Central Regional Airport and our entire state,” said Senator Manchin. “Work to expand Mitsubishi’s hangars will begin soon and will create more than 300 new jobs in the process. I applaud everyone who has worked hard to ensure this process was completed quickly despite months of delay. I am excited for Mitsubishi’s investment in the new Aerotech Business Park and the growth it will bring for our regional economy and workforce.”
 
The Aerotech Business Park project consists of two phases that will add a new terminal with access to WV Route 279, a new parking facility and a 100-acre AeroTech Park with direct access to the airport’s 7,800-foot runway, which is the longest commercial runway in the state.
 
Senator Manchin’s efforts to support the North Central Regional Airport:
 
  • Senator Manchin has been instrumental in securing more than $40 million in direct payroll support for Mitsubishi’s workers in Bridgeport to help them meet operational needs, stay open, and keep West Virginia workers employed at the facility during the pandemic. Most recently, Senator Manchin helped secure a third round of payroll support through the American Rescue Plan, which benefits workers in Bridgeport and across America.
  • Since 2018, Senator Manchin has secured $3.7 million in grant investments from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the Benedum Airport Authority to support construction and development efforts of the North Central Regional Airport Aerotech Business Park.
  • On May 21st, Senator Manchin announced the FAA released the final Environmental Assessment for the North Central Regional Airport Aerotech Business Park which allowed for construction to begin.
  • In November 2020, Senator Manchin met with Hiro Yamamoto, MHIRJ President and CEO, and other company executives, in addition to local stakeholders to discuss MHIRJ’s operations and potential expansion plans in West Virginia.
  • In October 2020, Senator Manchin wrote to the FAA urging them to quickly respond to North Central Regional Airport’s application for an Environmental Assessment.
  • In July 2019, Senator Manchin sent a letter congratulating the CEO of Mitsubishi, Seiji Izumisawa, on the acquisition of Bombardier’s regional jet program, which is serviced at the North Central Regional Airport.