August 28, 2013

Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Funding for West Virginia Airports

Funding to Benefit Barbour, Berkeley, Braxton, Greenbrier, Harrison, Marion, Mercer, Monongalia, Nicholas, Raleigh, Randolph, Upshur, and Wood Counties

WASHINGTON D.C.— Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, along Congressman Nick Rahall (all D-WV), today announced more than $6 million in federal funding awards for airport improvements in Barbour, Berkeley, Braxton, Greenbrier, Harrison, Marion, Mercer, Monongalia, Nicholas, Raleigh, Randolph, Upshur, and Wood Counties.

“Transportation infrastructure is a commonsense investment to create jobs,” said Manchin. “By improving our airport facilities in West Virginia, we are not only protecting our travelers, but we are also attracting businesses and residents to our communities and expanding business opportunities. I’m pleased that these airports will receive critical funding to make necessary infrastructure improvements.”

“Our local airports are critical to West Virginia’s economy now and in the future. They open our state to business opportunities and tourism, and provide a safe and convenient way for West Virginians to travel,” said Rockefeller. “This grant funding will make sure the state’s airports remain safe and running so they can continue to facilitate ongoing air service throughout our state.”

“These federal dollars will help to update and modernize our State’s airports and bolster our region’s economy,” said Rahall, top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “Civil aviation contributes enormously to our Nation’s economy and I will continue to work with our regional airport authorities to take advantage of the growth that is fueled by a strong transportation network.”

The funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which Rockefeller oversees as Chairman of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

The funding awards include:

• $1,850,160 – Braxton County Airport – Sutton, WV: The funding will be used to rehabilitate the runway at the Braxton County Airport.

• $1,300,625 – City of Morgantown – Morgantown, WV: The funding will be used to replace the terminal building roof and drain system at the Morgantown Municipal-Walter L. Bill Hart Field Airport.

• $824,191 – Wood County Airport Authority – Parkersburg, WV: The funding will be used to rehabilitate the runway at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport.

• $733,776 – City of Fairmont and the Airport Authority – Fairmont, WV: The funding will be used to construct a taxiway at the Fairmont Municipal-Frankman Field Airport.

• $300,000 – Elkins-Randolph County Airport Authority – Elkins, WV: The funding will be used to rehabilitate the taxiway and its pavement.

• $299,970 – Raleigh County Airport Authority – Beckley, WV: The funding will be used the rehabilitate the terminal building roof at the Raleigh County Memorial Airport.

• $185,000 – Greenbrier County Airport Authority – Lewisburg, WV: The funding will be used to construct a taxiway at the Greenbrier Valley Airport.

• $173,598 – Nicholas County Airport Authority – Summersville, WV: The funding will be used to rehabilitate the runway at the Summersville Airport.

• $150,000- Buckhannon-Upshur Airport Authority – Buckhannon, WV: The funding will be used to construct a hangar building at the Upshur County Regional Airport.

• $150,000 – Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport Authority – Martinsburg, WV: The funding will be used to rehabilitate the taxiway at the Eastern WV Regional/Shepherd Field Airport.

• $87,817 – Barbour County Airport Authority – Philippi, WV: The funding will be used to construct a fuel facility at the Philippi/Barbour County Regional Airport.

• $58,223 – Mercer County Airport Authority – Bluefield, WV: The funding for the Mercer County Airport will fund the design of a taxiway that will help the airport meet design standards.

• $50,000 – Benedum Airport Authority – Clarksburg, WV: The funding will be used to install perimeter fencing at the North Central West Virginia Airport.

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