June 01, 2012

Manchin, Rockefeller Announce Grants for Three West Virginia Regional Airports

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Jay Rockefeller and Joe Manchin today announced that three regional airports serving Barbour, Marshall, and Upshur counties will receive a total of $795,727 in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration to help them construct new hangar buildings.

“West Virginia’s airports are critical lifelines for our businesses, tourism, and our state’s economy.  And making sure they receive the upgrades they need will enable our communities to continue to see the benefits and keep airports safe,” said Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.  “Supporting our regional airports is always a priority of mine, and this is a piece of good news as we continue working – with an eye toward the future – to keep them as strong as possible.”

“Investing in American infrastructure is one of the most commonsense steps we can take right now to put people back to work and boost our economy,” Senator Manchin said. “Building these airport hangers is an issue both Democrats and Republicans can agree on because it will create jobs and strengthen our ability to compete in the future. I have always said we can do the most good for our state when we invest together in our future.”

The Barbour County Airport Authority will receive $150,000; the Marshall County Airport Authority will receive $495,727; and, the Buckhannon-Upshur Airport Authority will receive $150,000.  Each of the airport authorities will use the funds to build new hangars on site to withstand harsh weather and protect airplanes.

The federal funding was made available through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration.

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