MORGANTOWN, W.Va. –– The Morgantown Municipal Airport (MGW) has serviced the community and West Virginia University for decades but hasn’t been established as an economic engine for the future. Members of Morgantown City Council and the Monongalia County Commission could consider operating the airport under the umbrella of an “authority.”

Managing the airport through an “authority” made up of different community members would be a focused approach for day-to-day operations, facility management, and strategic planning. While grant funding is primarily determined by the type of project, airports with strong community partnerships, as are encouraged in the “authority” management, are more likely to get federal financial support.

The runway extension project got started in early 2021 and has been delayed mostly due to rising costs caused by inflation. Increased costs have expanded the phasing and also the timeline for completion, according to Mayor Danielle Trumble.

“I’m open to that conversation,” Trumble said. “Certainly anything that would help us get closer to that funding gap that we’re experiencing for the runway extension, and I think that is probably a long-term conversation.”

Commissioner in Monongalia County and former Morgantown City Council member Tom Bloom believes the potential of the property has never been maximized. The potential economic development opportunities once the runway extension is complete and the proposed I-68 Commerce Park across the street should be the focus of a single community board.

“It is probably the future economic engine of the city of Morgantown and our county, and unfortunately we don’t talk about it,” Bloom said. “We’re talking about other issues that may affect about one percent of the people, and this needs to be looked at.”

The board structure would have equal representation and manage municipal funds for operation and expansion. The board could also orchestrate efforts to work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and pursue grant opportunities of all types.

“Two from each, and then three other people that are selected in the community, maybe by the Mon County Development Authority,” Bloom said. “That way the priority is just the airport, and then the city and county each contribute funds to try to move the airport forward.”

While the idea is being perfected, a management team could be assembled with a memorandum of understanding between the city and county that could lay out some of the components of a future structure.

“The city would have to maintain ownership of the airport—that has been something we’ve invested in for a number of years,” Trumble said. “But I think maybe an authority to run the day-to-day operations and plan the extension—I’m open to that conversation.”

The projected completion date of the runway extension is 2030, and the proposed I-68 Commerce Park would likely be soon after establishing a second industrial center. The park is planned for clean, light-to-heavy industrial or logistics activities.

“We need a plan for development for the airport, and I’m just concerned about where that money is going to come from, and the only way it will work is if we all work together,” Bloom said. “