MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport south of Martinsburg was awarded $22,500 in federal funds to complete an economic-impact study for the airfield, U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said Monday.
The purpose of the study is to assess the economic value that the airport has on the local and regional economy of the Eastern Panhandle and surrounding area, the senators said in a news release.
The funding award was among $301,811 in U.S. Department of Agriculture funding for rural economic development announced for projects in Martinsburg, Charleston, Keyser, Lewisburg, Parkersburg and Talcott.
In addition, $29,796 was awarded to Innovative Community Solutions in Martinsburg to continue an entrepreneurship and business-leadership-training program in Berkeley County, W.Va., serving veterans and people who have been incarcerated, the release said.
Grant funds will be used to cover costs associated with personnel involved in delivering training, equipment and supplies to be purchased. It is anticipated that the project will create 22 jobs in the region.