BECKLEY, W.Va., November 4, 2019 – The seven-county region surrounding Raleigh County Memorial Regional Airport today received certification as an AEROready community. AEROready certification involves a deep analysis of property, labor, education and infrastructure to ensure a region has the capacity to support the aerospace industry. The Raleigh County Memorial Airport analysis included the New River Gorge counties of Raleigh, Fayette, Summers and Nicholas, plus Wyoming, Mercer and McDowell counties.
Consultants Tucson Atlantic Consulting and Common Sense Economic Development led the certification process, which was funded by Appalachian Power, according to John Smolak, Appalachian Power economic development director. The AEROready studies are part of the company’s West Virginia Advantage Plan, which is providing $1 million in funding to economic development projects across the company’s service area. Appalachian Power also funded an initial site readiness study by InSite Consulting for the New River Gorge Region.
“Appalachian Power is dedicated to providing resources to assist our communities in attracting and retaining industry,” said Brad Hall, Appalachian Power’s external affairs vice president. “These aerospace programs have the potential to bring high-wage jobs to the region. We are appreciative of the collaboration with our local partners as we all work to create a better future for West Virginia.”
Starting this week, a six-county region around the Yeager Airport in Charleston will be analyzed for certification. Earlier this fall, a three-county area around the Greenbrier Valley Airport received its AEROready certification. Both of these certification efforts also were funded by Appalachian Power’s West Virginia Advantage Plan.
Previously, the four counties surrounding Huntington’s Tri-State Airport were certified as AEROready, so a total of 14 counties in the state have the coveted certification. With the addition of the Yeager area counties, that will bring the total number of counties certified as AEROready in the state to 20 and the number of commercial airports to four.
The certification process helps area economic developers determine whether to target aerospace industries and it provides those industries with a wealth of data they can use to make decisions about where to locate.
Appalachian Power has 1 million customers in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee (as AEP Appalachian Power). It is part of American Electric Power, which is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions. AEP’s more than 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 219,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.4 million customers in 11 states. AEP is also one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 32,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including 4,300 megawatts of renewable energy.
For centuries, West Virginians have gone into the earth and mined coal as their contribution to fueling the United States' future.
In the wake of Murray Energy, the country's largest private coal company, filing bankruptcy on Tuesday, Raleigh County Memorial Airport Manager Tom Cochran is pushing southern West Virginia toward the sky and a new horizon.
Cochran has a vision of bringing aerospace jobs to Raleigh County, and he is nearing his goal as officials from government and educational sectors gather on Monday to announce a new AEROReady certification for Raleigh County Memorial Airport and the seven-county region of Raleigh, Summers, Fayette, Nicholas, Mercer, McDowell and Wyoming counties.
New River Gorge Regional Development Authority Executive Director Joe Brouse said that the designation certifies that labor, development sites, customization of labor training and infrastructure are in place to support the aerospace industry.
"There were hundreds of site criteria items analyzed, but one of the most crucial was the availability of adequate infrastructure to support the aviation industry," Brouse stated in a press release on Wednesday.
For several years, Cochran has been on a mission to develop 67 acres at the airport on Industrial Drive. The aerospace idea came about recently but quickly took wing and gained momentum.
"It's one of the best things that could've happened to us," Cochran reacted to the news on Thursday. "This is big."
The project is still in what Cochran calls the "proactive" stage. Cochran and community partners are cautiously moving forward and plan to simultaneously market the project and secure funds. The goal is to build a $7 million site-ready facility on 67 acres at the airport within the next year.
The idea came earlier this year after NRGRDA commissioned a consultant, InSite Consulting, to study potential site readiness in the New River Gorge region in West Virginia. Cochran said they looked at the acreage for development at the airport as part of the study.
"They were telling us, 'Yes, you all have sites, but they're not ready. They're nothing but dirt and trees,'" reported Cochran.
Jina Belcher, deputy director at NRGRDA, said the site assessment was eye-opening for NRGRDA.
"For years, we’ve assumed we knew what companies were looking for in order to locate to the region but, clearly, we had no idea what we were missing.” said Belcher. “The Raleigh County Airport Industrial Park has the most attractive potential for development and we’re thrilled to be working with Tom to highlight the Airport’s assets and growth potential.”
InSite notified NRGRDA and Cochran that their site would be turned down by potential businesses as a viable location because companies wanted a flat site with adequate utilities.
Shortly after, NRGRDA and airport officials were offered an opportunity to be party to the AEROReady study conducted by AEP and its aerospace consulting firm, Tucson & Roberts.
Cochran said the idea of aerospace jobs seemed a perfect fit for the runway-ready property at Raleigh County Airport Industrial Park, just as it fit a place like southern West Virginia, where the mining industry has taken a hit.
The Federal Aviation Administration reported in 2017 that every major airline was suffering from a shortage of trained pilots, with a 30 percent decline from 30 years ago. Meanwhile, the number of passengers increased, creating a need and an opportunity for a region which was looking for a new industry.
"This is something wide open to the world, so to speak," Cochran said. "There's major shortages of pilots, mechanics, engineers, and it's a broad, open, rich industry across our country."
Tucson & Roberts certified other airports in the surrounding area, including the Beckley and Greenbrier Valley airports, as "AEROReady."
"We're in a position where we're able to accept aerospace industry opportunities," Cochran explained.
Various sectors of the local community are drawing together to develop the acreage and to invest in the future of the region.
Cochran reported Thursday that, with approval from Gov. Jim Justice and the West Virginia Secretary of Commerce's Office, leaders of the effort aim to secure $3 million in state funds to prepare a local site that can accommodate aviation manufacturing and maintenance companies.
NRGRDA, Region One Planning and Development Council, Raleigh County Commission, the Raleigh County Memorial Airport Authority and the federal Economic Development Administration have also made commitments to help fund site development.
"We'll be marketing it to any manufacturing company that does aviation manufacturing or any component parts," Cochran said. "It can be a maintenance facility, and this site is going to be large enough that we could have part manufacturing and maintenance, also."
Workforce development is key to success. Cochran believes the same spirit that built America from the ground up is still alive in West Virginia and that it will propel the aerospace economy.
Early in 2020, NRGRDA plans to submit a request for funding through the Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER initiative that will help fund training of displaced coal miners and others to work in the aerospace industry. An eastern Kentucky school will partner with local educators to develop a training program for air frame and power plant technicians, Belcher reported.
"We're going to be training them. We're going to be partnering with NRCTC and WVU Tech to do this training project with the technicians," said Cochran, adding that the institutions will allow students to pursue a four-year degree in their field that will incorporate two years of technical training.
"They're wanting to work and be in the engineering field in aerospace," said Cochran.
The aerospace industry is a new frontier for the region's economy, and Cochran said he is eager to begin construction on the acreage. He said that with dedication, construction could start this summer and would be a powerful marketing tool to aerospace companies.
"This takes at least 10 months to get all the permits," he explained. "If we do those things through the winter, we're going to be throwing dirt next spring.
"We need to be going to aviation companies and the whole industry to market ourselves right now," he said. "We can go and show the pictures of us cutting trees and throwing the dirt I'm talking about."
Cochran has pursued development of the wild, wonderful parcel at the airport for years, working with federal, state and local lawmakers to get the site ready for businesses.
"It's the idea of being proactive, of what we're trying to accomplish to develop this airport."
Brouse reported that NRGRDA, AEP, Cochran, Mercer County Economic Development Authority, McDowell County Economic Development Authority, and Wyoming County Economic Development Authority will be holding a public event at the Raleigh County Memorial Airport on Monday, Nov. 4, at 3 p.m., to announce the AEROready certification.
"We greatly appreciate the partnership of Appalachian Power Company in this process," Brouse said.
A group of Greenbrier Valley business and government leaders met with aerospace consultants on Tuesday, August 20th to discuss the Region’s readiness to recruit and sustain aerospace businesses.
Tucson Roberts of Tucson/Atlantic Consulting and Robert Ingram of Common Sense Economic Development discussed their three month assessment of the Region including its aerospace related strengths and weaknesses, as well as a strategic competitiveness analysis. They then made specific recommendations about how the Region can improve its competitive situation and presented a marketing plan.
The Greenbrier Valley Airport with approximately eighty acres and other potential business sites available for aerospace development are one of the key elements which enhance the Region’s potential to recruit aerospace companies. Over 100 other factors were analyzed including existing workforce capabilities in the commuting area and the availability of specialized aerospace education and training locally and in the State.
Greenbrier Valley Region is home to Collins Aerospace which employees 400 employees and is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year.
At the conclusion of the presentation, the Greenbrier Valley Region which includes Greenbrier, Monroe and Pocahontas counties were Certified as AEROready™️. Special thanks were extended to Appalachian Electric Power for their role in the process.
The Greenbrier Valley Partnership, the marketing arm of the Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation will utilize the information presented and the AEROready™️ Certification to market the Region and the Greenbrier Valley Airport to aerospace companies around the world.
J, Andrew Hagy, Executive Director, GVEDC said this is a great day and a turning point for the Greenbrier Valley Region to begin partnering with AEP to attract aerospace businesses to the region and West Virginia.
The Greenbrier Valley Region joins nineteen other communities in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio to receive the Certification.
DEBORD, KY - U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) announced a $4.4 million grant has been awarded to the Big Sandy Regional Airport in Martin County by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The funding will be used to extend the runway and runway safety area in Debord, Kentucky.
"You know what they say, 'no plane, no gain,' and that's especially true in our rural area, where access is vital for job creation and economic development," said Congressman Rogers. "This runway expansion not only improves safety, but will allow larger planes to land at the Big Sandy Regional Airport, bringing more air traffic to the nearby industrial park and into our region."
This news comes on the heels of a recent announcement by Congressman Rogers and Governor Matt Bevin who flew into the airport on Monday, May 6th with Dr. Michael Benson, President of Eastern Kentucky University, to announce a new Aviation Mechanics Technician (AMT) School. Students will have the opportunity to earn an AMT certification through the Big Sandy Community and Technical College and the Big Sandy Airport where they will get hands-on experience on airplanes in local hangars.
"Regional airport directors report that aviation mechanics in our region are currently overbooked and are turning away airplane maintenance work, forcing them to send those work opportunities outside of our region. This new school will allow us to keep that work here in the mountains, creating good paying jobs that soar up to $60,000 annually," said Congressman Rogers.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 10, 2019) - Gov. Matt Bevin today announced Dajcor Aluminum Ltd., a Canadian manufacturer of extruded and fabricated aluminum products, plans to create up to 265 full-time jobs as it invests nearly $19.6 million to locate its first US operation near Hazard.
"We are excited for another major jobs announcement in Eastern Kentucky, where we have a strong, skilled workforce ready to serve any industry's needs," Gov. Bevin said. "Dajcor Aluminum has selected an excellent location for its first US operation and will be a great fit for the workforce in and around Perry County. We are grateful to Dajcor for their decision to locate in Kentucky, and we stand ready to help this company achieve its goals and continue its rapid growth."
Dajcor plans to locate in the former American Woodmark facility in Perry County's Coalfields Industrial Park. The operation will provide Dajcor additional capacity for aluminum extrusion and fabrication to serve a variety of North American industries. The Kentucky location will also help the company better reach its US customers. Retrofitting and setup will begin immediately and operations are slated to begin by the end of 2019.
"We are excited to get going on this expansion project for Dajcor," said Mike Kilby, president and CEO of Dajcor. "This project will not only expand our capacity but also our geographic reach as our first manufacturing facility in the USA. Perry County, in Eastern Kentucky, offers a ready workforce as well as excellent state-of-the-art fabrication training facilities within the area. This fits well with our 'All Under One Roof' aluminum extrusion and fabrication business model."
Dajcor, headquartered in Chatham-Kent, Ontario, Canada, was founded in 2010 after a group of Chatham businessmen purchased the assets of Daymond Aluminum. The investors' mission was to restore the company to its pre-recession status as a widely recognized supplier of extruded, fabricated and anodized aluminum components to the US and Canadian markets. The company, which formerly served the automotive industry exclusively, has expanded to serve a range of markets, including renewable energy, medical equipment, transportation, building trades, military, marine, recreation and consumer-product industries.
The company prides itself on its family atmosphere, as highlighted in the company's name, which represents the initials of Kilby's daughters, Danielle, Alyssa and Justine. Dajcor currently employs 246 people at its Ontario operation.
US Rep. Hal Rogers said Dajcor adds new momentum to economic revitalization efforts in Eastern Kentucky.
"As we continue to rebuild and reimagine our economy in Eastern Kentucky, we welcome businesses, like Dajcor Aluminum, that are taking an innovative approach to retrofit the available buildings and land in our region to create jobs and expand operations," Rep. Rogers said. "We have the best workforce in the country readily available to fill these new jobs, with highly skilled labor and an unmatched work ethic. Gov. Bevin and I are honored to support Dajcor Aluminum's expansion into Kentucky's Appalachian region."
Sen. Brandon Smith, of Hazard, said the company's values are analogous to those held by Eastern Kentuckians.
"Dajcor Aluminum's investment in Perry County is not only an investment in our present, but our future," Sen. Smith said. "The employment opportunities for our skilled workforce will undoubtedly continue to strengthen our region, which has a deep commitment to family just as Dajcor does."
Rep. Chris Fugate, of Chavies, said the local workforce stands ready to fill available positions for the aluminum supplier.
"This is exciting news for the people of the 84th District, but also our region of Southeastern Kentucky," Rep. Fugate said. "I am very thankful to Dajcor for choosing to bring their company to a region where we have many people ready, willing and able to do a great job for them."
Hazard Mayor Happy Mobellini said the company will benefit the local community for years to come.
"Dajcor will create a tremendous impact for Hazard-Perry County as well as the entire region, employing folks from multiple counties," Mayor Mobellini said. "We are proud to have them locate here, investing in their future while also investing in the future of 260-plus families in our area."
Perry County Judge-Executive Scott Alexander said many people had a hand in bringing Dajcor to the area.
"This project is the culmination of multiple efforts to prepare our community to win as well as great teamwork between local and regional leaders," Judge-Executive Alexander said. "We welcome Dajcor to Perry County and look forward to helping them flourish."
Chuck Sexton, president and CEO of One East Kentucky, said this type of growth can provide immediate support to the region.
"Dajcor represents what our organization is focused on; building a diversified cluster of industry which will have the ability to perpetuate growth in the years to come," Sexton said. "We are excited about what this project means for all of Eastern Kentucky and appreciate the responsiveness and hard work of our local, state and federal officials to make this possible."
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in December preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $4 million through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of the new tax revenue it generates over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.
In addition, Dajcor can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives.