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North Central WV Airport Might Lose $1 Million in Funding

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By Stacy Jacobson, Gilmer, Harrison and Lewis County Reporter - bio | email

  • North Central WV Airport Might Lose $1 Million in Funding

  • Stacy first joined WBOY as an intern reporter in early 2010. She enjoyed her experience and meeting the people of North Central West Virginia so much that she decided to return as a full-time reporter.
BRIDGEPORT -

The North Central West Virginia Airport in Bridgeport may lose about $1 million in funding because of decreased passenger numbers.

The airport recently found out Colgan Air, which operated the airplanes that fly commercially from the airport, mis-reported its passenger numbers, Interim Director Rick Rock said. It originally told Rock more than 10,000 passengers had flown out of CKB before the end of 2011. But Colgan later told the airport only about 6,300 passengers enplaned in Bridgeport.

The airport is eligible for $1.5 million in federal funding if passenger numbers exceed 10,000, he said. Otherwise, it will receive just $150,000.

Still, Rock said the community should remain positive about the airport's impact.

"With the economic impact that it provides our community and the businesses that are involved in this airport, I think 2012 is going to be a great year for us. We will see some expansion," Rock said.

The airport is currently expanding the runway. The funding issues threaten only future projects, like runway widening, he said.