Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport Manager Ben Auville; Andrew Daniel, chairman of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport Authority’s Economic Development Committee; and Lindsey Piersol, Executive Director of the Wood County Economic Development Authority, appeared before the Wood County Commission on Thursday to discuss potential development at the airport. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — Officials are looking at development opportunities at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport and need the Wood County Commission’s help in being able to present the potential of the local airport to businesses around the world.

The Wood County Commission approved a funding request Thursday for $30,000 to have the Thrasher Group, the airport’s engineering firm, do a set of concept drawings for the airport as well as the cost analysis for different projects as airport officials are planning to engage with aviation businesses around the world about what could be done at the local airport.

Airport Manager Ben Auville, Andrew Daniel, chairman of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport Authority’s Economic Development Committee, and Lindsey Piersol, Executive Director of the Wood County Economic Development Authority, appeared before the county commission Thursday to discuss potential development at the airport.

Daniel talked about plans to create 60 “flat acres” at the airport for development. Officials said to prepare for that they are looking at having some access roads built that would open things up so they can eventually put in water and sewer.

Commissioner Jimmy Colombo talked about development at the Clarksburg airport with aerospace business and what would have to happen here to get something similar.

“What can we do to stimulate that growth,” he asked.

Daniel said they are looking at maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) businesses.

“That is the industry that we are targeting,” he said.

There is a company out of Canada that helps facilitate meetings with aerospace companies. The airport officials want to work with others to facilitate deals.

Daniel is planning to attend the Paris Airshow June 16-22 with the drawings and renderings to be able to show potential companies what could be done here. He is also looking at ways to finance the infrastructure needs and more.

Colombo hopes the state can help with water and sewer placement.

Piersol said there are grants that have been available to help with such things. However, funding availability has come under question with moves made recently by the administration of President Donald Trump.

“I am very forthcoming with people right now,” she said. “I don’t know where federal or state grant dollars are going to stand under the new administration.

“I don’t think anyone does.”

Piersol said the drawings and cost analysis would allow local officials to apply for economic enhancement grants and more at the state and federal levels if that funding would still be available, Low interest loans and other funding could also be looked at.

Commission President Blair Couch said Clarksburg was originally able to build a spec hanger with federal help through former U.S. Senator Robert Byrd which helped get things started there.

The local airport sits on 1,200 acres of land. In addition to aviation businesses, other development could be brought to the site.

“We agree that the domino effect will help a lot,” Daniel said, adding they are looking at trying to get a spec hanger built.

“It is the ‘Field of Dreams,’ if you build it, they will come,” Couch said. “In the case of Clarksburg, that actually happened.”

Piersol said they have reached out to officials in some of the surrounding counties and in Ohio to serve on the economic development committee.

“We are reaching out to do the regional approach to airport development,” she said.

Daniel said they are looking at companies that paint aircraft. Many airliners are painted every five years. Companies will fly them without any passengers across the ocean to be painted in Europe and elsewhere. Right now, there is a two year wait to have that work done for many planes. One paintshop Daniel is familiar with has $18 million in hangers, employs over 100 people and paints planes 24/7.

“There are only 12-13 of those in the United States,” he said.

If they can get one of those in West Virginia and other supporting businesses could be set up at the airport too, he said of businesses that change out the upholstery in planes and other related businesses.

Daniel said their airport could handle these planes coming in and out.

“That is the kind of targeting we are trying to do,” he said.

Commission Robert Tebay was absent from Thursday’s meeting.