Leaders from across the region met to review an assessment for five counties regarding the possibility of the aerospace industry.

Gallia, Mason, Lawrence, and Jackson Counties in Ohio and West Virginia have been certified as AEROready communities based on their available resources and other data about the region. These five counties will be added onto an existing region called Appalachian Sky that is located along US 23 through eastern Kentucky.

According to Tuscon Roberts and Robert Ingram, who founded the AEROready organization, this certification and continuing program is designed to help rural communities join together with their resources to help bring in companies in the aerospace industry and increase jobs in the region through recruitment and marketing.

All five of the counties, including Gallia and Mason, are certified through AEROready and are now a part of the larger marketing and recruitment system called Appalachian Sky.

In a joint presentation, Roberts explained that aerospace jobs have a significant impact on the local economy. AEROready looked at 74 necessary job skills in the region and their availability should aerospace jobs come to the region. These skills ranged from truck driving and welding to manufacturing and engineering.

“The AEROready Certification will provide our community another tool in the toolbox as we work to attract new investment and jobs to Gallia County,” said Melissa Clark, Gallia County Economic Director. “By joining the existing Appalachian Sky initiative and with the support of AEP, the AEROready designation will help provide assurance to private industry that our region can support the aerospace industry.”

By Morgan McKinniss - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The full news release can be found at: https://www.mydailytribune.com/news/28388/gallia-mason-ready-for-aerospace