Huntington, West Virginia keeps American aviation flying high
Aviation Manufacturing & Maintenance
Huntington, West Virginia shows up on aerospace and defense leaders’ radar for a long list of reasons. For one, we’re within a day’s drive of more than a third of the nation’s top aerospace and defense purchasing activity, including several top OEMs — and just six and half hours from the Pentagon. For another, we’re home to an airport with a 7,001-foot (2,139 m) runway and adjacent prime business sites. It’s West Virginia’s only FedEx 757 hub. In addition, the airport and local postsecondary education providers have created a popular aviation maintenance technology program built around the A&P license.
The full-service Jet Center at Tri-State Airport (KHTS) offers all-weather general aviation support, and nonstop passenger service is available to Orlando, Tampa/St. Pete, Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, Destin-Fort Walton, Myrtle Beach, and Charlotte. Interstate 64 delivers single-day truck access to more than 162 million consumers across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Ontario. Three Interstate-grade highways provide fast local connections. Inbound and outbound rail shipments have mainline service from both CSX and Norfolk Southern, plus there’s Amtrak’s New York-to-Chicago Cardinal.
The 50-mile labor shed surrounding our area is home to more than 360,000 workers, many with skillsets ideally suited for creating precision materials and components for aerospace and defense manufacturers. Cabell County Schools begin career literacy in the elementary grades. Career-focused education continues as students age, with local high schools and the Cabell County Career Technology Center delivers the technical and soft skills employers need.
mechanical engineering, health and safety, business, IT, and 80 other fields, along with an advanced manufacturing center. Mountwest Community and Technical College offers more than 50 one-year certificate and associate degree programs, including machinist technology/CNC, welding, and management technology. In partnership with the Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center, Mountwest CTC administers its Welding Technology and Machinist Technology/CNC degree programs as well as the innovative Systems Maintenance, Automation, and Robotics Technology (SMART) Program.
The Cabell County Career Technology Center provides continuing education for adults and customized training to meet employers’ specific needs. Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center also provides customized training to upskill employees with a broad range of skills including welding, machining, forklift operation, blueprint reading, and more.
Local utility providers offer low rates thanks to abundant supplies and a collaborative attitude. For example, our area’s electric rates are nearly a third below the national average. There’s no shortage of natural gas and fresh water, as well as plenty of bandwidth for data needs.
Existing Employers
Star Technologies
Carbon Fiber Composites
Hangar 9 Aviation, LLC
FEDEX Air Heavy Freight Facility
“In 2003, Wayne County was chosen as the site of our company’s first automotive parts plant in the United States. Standing up a brand-new facility took a tremendous amount of work and HADCO was our partner from day one. Whether dealing with land acquisition, regulatory issues, utility infrastructure, liaison with local and state officials, finding contractors, or just welcoming Sogefi to West Virginia, HADCO was, and remains, a vital friend and partner. “
Troy Thomas, Plant Manager
Sogefi USA