Wood County Commission gets update on Mid-Ohio Valley Airport | News, Sports, Jobs

Glen Kelly talked with the Wood County Commission about things at the Mid-Ohio Valley Airport during Monday’s commission meeting where he pointed out aspects of the airport on a computer map put up on a screen in the commission’s chambers. Kelly appeared before the commission to be sworn in as a member of the Wood County Airport Authority. Kelly recently retired from the manager’s position at the airport. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG –The Mid-Ohio Valley Airport will eventually need large square-foot hangars, an airport official told the Wood County Commission.

Glen Kelly appeared before the Wood County Commission on Monday to be sworn in as a member of the Wood County Airport Authority. Kelly recently retired from the manager’s position at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport.

Kelly and commissioners talked about some of the needs the airport has, potential for development and more.

County commissioners have said there has been interest in businesses possibly building hangars.

Kelly said there has been interest from some parties, but nothing specific. He has talked to people about buildings on the grounds and available space.

Officials talked about available t-hangars for private planes and the need for additional hangar space with the potential of doing industrial hangars.

There is space to do development around the airport’s south ramp which would provide better access to the Juliet Runway. Some of those plans could involve having to move some smaller hangars for private planes to open space for larger buildings.

Kelly talked about areas around the airport that would be good for development of hangars and how some buildings have door height concerns where they can’t be fully utilized. Officials would be open to a 10,000-square-foot hangar space with the appropriate door height to accommodate certain aircraft.

Commission President Blair Couch suggested the possibility of moving some of the t-hangars to open more desirable land for other development.

Kelly said there are plans that have to meet certain FAA requirements. There were enough private planes in the area to the airport to maintain hangar space as there is a waiting list for available space, he said.

“Over the last couple of years, people have been upgrading and adding planes like crazy,” Kelly said. “That has slowed down.”

The airport has done improvements and replacements to runways, terminal roof replacements and repairs and transitioned to LED lighting. Funding is being secured for work at the terminal and parking lot through federal sources.

“A lot of good things have happened at the airport,” Kelly said. “Do I want to see more development? Yes. I want to see controlled development so we don’t block ourselves out of bigger projects.”

In other business, the commission received its 2022-23 budget back from Wood County Clerk Mark Rhodes with a small adjustment related to funding for crossing guards. The commission approved the over $25 million budget to be sent to the state. The budget includes money for 4 percent pay raises for county employees.

The State Auditor’s office will review it to see if the proposed levy will raise the money the county says it will. If there are any issues the commission will address them.

The county is not expecting to raise the levy rate this year. Commissioners will officially set the levy rate in April.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at [email protected]