Local airports are economic multipliers for our region.
Without the flight services they offer, it’s difficult to say where southern West Virginia might stand economically. No Boy Scouts of America Jamboree site or National Scouting Center. Fewer business dealings. Limited opportunities for regular business commuters.
We would be isolated, and economic development would suffer for it.
It was announced this week that airports in Beckley and Lewisburg are targeted for a combined $4.4 million in new federal funding to continue the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. Raleigh County Memorial Airport is earmarked for $2.1 million, while Greenbrier Valley Airport in Lewisburg would get $2.3 million in an appropriations bill sent to the White House for the president’s approval.
Started in 1979, the EAS helps smaller airports sustain flight service. But the key to maintaining the services made possible by EAS is using those services. If we don’t use them, we could lose them.
We can’t afford to do that.
As residents of southern West Virginia, it is imperative we consider our local airports for our flight needs. Before we look to Charleston or Charlotte, we should explore the options our local airports have available.
You may be surprised to know you can affordably fly directly from Raleigh County to Washington, D.C., Baltimore or Atlanta. There are even direct flights heading west to Somerset, Ky.
Airports and the local economies to which they contribute work hand in hand. Guests of The Greenbrier frequently fly into Lewisburg. Businesses with offices in other areas use both airports to fly personnel back and forth. Connections are available nearly anywhere.
This new funding will certainly help these two airports create additional services and improve on those they already offer.
Many travelers and businesses seem stuck in the habit of driving hours to an airport and paying hundreds in parking fees while they’re away. We don’t have to do that anymore, and we shouldn’t.
Our local airports are providing quality service for us. It’s far time we gave them the quantity of service they deserve.
