HB 4006 Critical To Turning State’s Aviation Mission-Ready Infrastructure Into Economic Gold

West Virginia is at an inflection point for aviation and aerospace.

Across the state, and particularly at Raleigh County Memorial Airport, years of intentional investment have laid the groundwork for success. Airport infrastructure has been modernized. Sites have been assembled and cleared. Workforce and education partners have stepped up to expand aviation-related training. These are not theoretical efforts — they represent real readiness for real projects.

In the New River Gorge region, we have genuine expressions of interest in aviation organizations that could create hundreds of lasting jobs and tax revenues for our community. The lack of experienced aviation maintenance talent and the prospects of recruiting them are our only impediment.

That is why the West Virginia House of Delegates’ decision to identify aviation and aerospace as a target industry is such an important signal. Legislation like the just-introduced HB 4006 builds on a long history of state support for aerospace — from infrastructure investments to site readiness, workforce development, and education pipelines. It acknowledges what many of us working on the ground already know: aerospace is a high-wage, high-skill sector well suited to West Virginia’s assets.

But readiness alone does not equal recruitment.

Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations in particular are different from many other industrial projects. Hangars and runways matter, but people matter more. MRO facilities require a core group of highly experienced, FAA-certified aviation maintenance technicians who not only perform the work, but also train, mentor, and shepherd the next generation of mechanics. Without that experienced backbone in place, even the best facilities will struggle to scale.

As we work to recruit new MRO operations to West Virginia, industry partners are clear about what they need. They are eager to grow here, but their ability to commit is directly tied to access to seasoned aviation professionals who can anchor a new facility from day one. In many cases, those professionals already have roots in West Virginia.

Across the country, experienced aviation maintenance technicians are working in major hubs far from home. Many trained elsewhere because opportunities did not exist here at the time — not because they wanted to leave. As new MRO opportunities emerge, there is

a genuine desire among these workers to return home, raise families, and bring their expertise back to the communities that shaped them.

Targeted relocation support recognizes this reality. It is not about importing talent with no connection to place; it is about removing barriers for West Virginians who want to come home and lead.

Unlike many other industries, aviation maintenance is not a field where workers can simply be trained on the job after hire. Federal Aviation Administration requirements demand extensive pre-employment education, certification, and documented experience before a mechanic ever touches an aircraft. While existing workforce incentive programs work well for industries that can upskill employees internally, AMT pipelines must be built intentionally, in advance, and anchored by credentialed professionals from day one.

Without that experienced backbone in place, even the best facilities will struggle to scale in a safety-critical, highly regulated industry.

The good news is that West Virginia is not starting from scratch. We already have a strong and growing aerospace and aviation presence, including existing operators, suppliers, and training institutions that have built real expertise over time. These companies and workers are proof that aerospace can thrive here, and they should be recognized as partners in shaping what comes next.

The next step is to complement legislative momentum with targeted recruitment and relocation tools that match the needs of the industry. Strategic incentives that help experienced aviation professionals move to West Virginia, paired with robust training pathways for new AMT mechanics, will accelerate growth and reduce risk for employers considering a location decision.

If West Virginia wants to compete with established aviation hubs in other states, we must do more than prepare sites — we must actively recruit and relocate talent. By aligning workforce, relocation, and recruitment strategies with the strong policy foundation already in place, we can turn aviation from a target industry into a statewide success story. I applaud the West Virginia House of Delegates for their focus on the aviation industry in West Virginia and look forward to productive communication supporting HB 4006.

Now, let’s get it passed by both state legislative bodies and signed into law.

Jina Belcher is Executive Director of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Raleigh County Memorial Airport.