BRIDGEPORT — Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Regional Jets (MHIRJ) will soon expand its presence at North Central West Virginia Airport with the construction of two new hangars totaling more than 100,000 square feet.
The $19.1 million project could bring as many as 800 jobs to the area, including 300 positions during the construction phase, according to company officials.
Gov. Jim Justice, who helped announce the company’s planned expansion last November, recently participated in a mock groundbreaking ceremony alongside MHIRJ representatives, local officials and members of the Benedum Airport Authority, the governing body for the airport.
In May, MHIRJ signed a contract formally committing to the expansion project, which is expected to be finalized and operational within 18 months.
“Today’s launch of MHIRJ’s site expansion at North Central Regional Airport is truly exciting and again proves that West Virginia is the best place to grow a business,” Justice said. “When a company is able to keep growing as MHIRJ has done over the past couple years — adding hundreds of new jobs, expanding its operations and building out its facilities — it’s the sign of great company leadership and puts a spotlight on the profitable business environment we have built in West Virginia. The economic ripple effects of this continued growth are going to bring all kinds of goodness to North Central West Virginia, and I could not be prouder that MHIRJ continues to deepen its roots in our great state.”
The governor cited a recent study from the West Virginia Aeronautic Commission on the economic impact of the state’s airports, which showed MHIRJ and North Central West Virginia Airport are important contributors to the state’s economy.
“Across West Virginia, there are over 10,729 jobs and over $1.63 billion in business revenues associated with aviation,” Justice said. “The North Central West Virginia Airport is the largest contributor to this success, has more than 2,345 of those jobs and over $775 million in business revenues.”
The project at NCWV Airport marks the next phase of the company’s development, said Ismail Mokabel, MHIRJ senior vice president.
“This is a significant milestone for MHIRJ as it reinforces the growth of our business,” Mokabel said. “As the largest maintenance, repair and overhaul company serving the CRJ (Canadair Regional Jet) Series platform, we aim at creating continued value for our customers by exploring opportunities that will allow us to elevate our service offering, diversify our capabilities and expand our infrastructure.”
The expansion cements the company’s commitment to West Virginia, said Anthony Hinton, head of service centers for MHIRJ.
“It truly positions the North Central West Virginia Airport as paramount in the regional aviation infrastructure,” he said.
Plans for MHIRJ’s expansion date back more than a decade, Airport Director Rick Rock said.
“It’s been a long road and journey, and a lot of people didn’t think this would ever occur,” he said. “It’s wonderful and a wonderful thing for West Virginia. It means so much for this airport, but really to all of West Virginia. As we attempt to diversify our economy, this is a major first step for what we’re trying do and the part that we play.”
State Sen. Mike Romano, D-Harrison, said Justice has repeatedly thrown his support behind the airport and its ongoing projects.
“No governor — Republican or Democrat — believed in this project more than you did,” Romano said to Justice. “You helped us make things happen here. When we called, there was action taken. When we needed the help, he provided the help. This is what you’ve helped bring to fruition.”
U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., each released statements praising MHIRJ’s expansion.
“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,” Manchin said. “I applaud everyone who has worked hard to ensure this process was completed quickly despite months of delay.”
“The local leadership of the Benedum Airport Authority, particularly Airport Director Rick Rock, (Harrison County) Commissioner David Hinkle and (Bridgeport) Mayor Andy Lang, has been steadfast in their dedication to growing the aerospace economy in North Central West Virginia, and I appreciate their efforts in helping make this happen,” Capito said. “Today marks another milestone in this strong partnership that will continue to drive economic growth and commercial investments for years to come.”
MHIRJ provides comprehensive critical operational, engineering and customer support solutions, including maintenance, refurbishment, technical publications, marketing and sales activities for the global regional aircraft industry.
Headquartered in Montréal, Canada, and bolstered by an Aerospace Engineering Center, MHIRJ’s network of service centers, support offices and parts depots are positioned in important aviation hubs in the U.S., Canada and Germany.
MHI RJ Aviation Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.