SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 46

(By Senators Blair (Mr. President), Phillips, Caputo, Hamilton, Romano, Martin, Jeffries, and Rucker)

[Introduced February 14, 2022]

Supporting North Central West Virginia’s aviation and aerospace industries as critical to the economy and further economic development of the State of West Virginia.

Whereas, The Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex in Bridgeport, West Virginia, along with the other aviation and aerospace companies located across the region, are a significant economic engine for North Central West Virginia and the surrounding region and have created thousands of good-paying jobs for West Virginians; and

Whereas, The Harrison County Commission and the Marion County Commission have worked collaboratively to support and promote the success and expansion of these industries in North Central West Virginia; and

Whereas, The Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center, a component of Fairmont State University, Pierpont Community, and Technical College, offers associate and bachelor’s degree programs in aviation technology, creating the skilled labor force necessary to successfully manage the needs of these growing industries in West Virginia; and

Whereas, Aviation and aerospace programs are growing and increasing in West Virginia’s institutions of higher education, including pilot training, aviation maintenance technician training, and aerospace and mechanical engineering programs; and

Whereas, Regardless of whether a West Virginia student wants to design an airplane, fly an airplane, or work on an airplane, all the training and jobs are right here in the state, and this highly trained and skilled workforce never has to leave West Virginia; and

Whereas, The North Central West Virginia Airport, and the businesses that call it home, have a total estimated annual regional economic output of $1.1 billion and is one of the largest employers in the region; and

Whereas, The continued growth of the aviation and aerospace industries in North Central West Virginia has resulted in the economic development of billions of dollars in this region of West Virginia; and

Whereas, North Central West Virginia’s aviation and aerospace industries will continue to be integral to supporting economic development across the region and the state for years to come; and

Whereas, The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects overall employment of aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians is projected to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations, and the aviation and aerospace industries in North Central West Virginia are on pace to meet or exceed those projections; and

Whereas, The North Central West Virginia Airport and the air service-related employment associated with it provides over 100 jobs with $13.4 million in annual payroll; and

Whereas, The aviation and aerospace industries and their related businesses and educational components have a positive effect on multiple economic drivers, including tourism, hospitality, and industrial development; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Legislature hereby fully supports North Central West Virginia’s aviation and aerospace industries and the post-secondary programs offered at the region’s institutions of higher education as critical to West Virginia’s successful economic future; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes the importance to the state’s economy of the continued development of North Central West Virginia’s aerospace and aviation industries, as well as the importance of the post-secondary programs offered in the region to the continued growth and success of those industries; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Harrison County Commission, the Marion County Commission, the Higher Education Policy Commission, the Benedum Airport Authority, and the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex.