Gov. Justice announces 240 new jobs at North Central WV Airport; awards over $2.5 million in transportation alternatives/recreational trails grants

BRIDGEPORT, WV – In yet another landmark day of growth for north central West Virginia, Gov. Jim Justice announced today that 240 new, high-paying jobs will be brought to North Central West Virginia Airport over the next five months and also awarded over $2.5 million in Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program grants for a dozen projects in cities and towns all across north central West Virginia.

“There are a lot of good things happening in north central West Virginia and truly all over the state,” Gov. Justice said. “I couldn’t be prouder to be with you today to celebrate.”

Gov. Justice began today’s ceremony by announcing that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Aviation Group, the owner of an aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul facility located at the North Central West Virginia airport in Bridgeport, is experiencing an increase in demand for their services.

MHI Aviation Group has already increased their workforce by approximately 200 employees over the past few months alone, growing from 319 in June to 517 today. Now, MHI Aviation Group plans to add temporary hangar space that will facilitate four additional lines of aircraft maintenance at the Bridgeport location. 

As a result, Gov. Justice announced today that MHI Aviation Group will be hiring an additional 240 employees between now and March 2021, bringing the total workforce up to approximately 750 employees.

“To me, as a business guy, adding hundreds and hundreds of great jobs for the hardworking West Virginians in this area is the most exciting thing in the world,” Gov. Justice said. “Really it’s great for all of West Virginia and I love it more than you'll ever know.

“This is on top of so much other goodness that’s already going on at our North Central West Virginia airport,” Gov. Justice continued.

In August 2019, Gov. Justice requested the necessary funding to jump-start a multimillion-dollar project to enhance and develop North Central West Virginia Airport and the entire surrounding area. The project includes the construction of a new terminal, the creation of approximately 50 additional acres of airport space, and the final development of airport property for additional commercial and industrial use – maximizing the developable land between I-279 and Route 50 in Harrison County.

“The Governor has been very involved in our airport,” said Harrison County Commissioner David Hinkle. “Since becoming Governor, he has helped us tremendously, and what we’re announcing today is going to make our airport continue to grow.”