Nov. 21—BRIDGEPORT — Fifteen months after the state Legislature allocated $25 million for a new aviation maintenance training center for Pierpont Community and Technical College at the north-central West Virginia airport , the project remains inactive.

“There is absolutely no reason in the world why we haven’t had a groundbreaking ceremony, a celebration and a ground moving,” said Tracy Miller, president of the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex. “We have a win for two schools that can increase their enrollment. I don’t want to single out the employer, but it’s not only one of our largest employers, but it’s a world-renowned employer. That said , they are refusing work because the construction of this new school has not started.”

Miller made his brief plea for movement on the project during Tuesday’s meeting of the Benedum Airport Authority, the owner and governing body of the north-central West Virginia airport.

Governor Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 1029 on August 17 during a ceremony at the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center. The bill included $25 million for a new 70,000-square-foot building that Pierpont would use for its aviation maintenance program. The school is currently limited to the number of students it can accommodate for its program. Miller said the FAA sets limits on the number of students who can enroll in the program based on the capacity the school has for them. The new building would allow the school to increase from 130 students to 200 students per year.

However, since the fanfare, no forward movement has been made on the building. Miller said at this point she would even progress into an explanation. Miller said during the meeting, people asked her every day when construction would begin, but she had no answers for them.

“It’s surprising,” she said. “And useless.”

Officials at Pierpont Community and Technical College could not be reached before publication time.

In other activities of the Authority:

Joel Dugan, associate professor of art and chair of the Department of Art, Architecture and Design at Fairmont State University, presented the university’s art rental program to the Board of Trustees of the airport. Artwork created by students has the opportunity to be exhibited professionally and rental fees are used to fund art students.

“As you know, all students get halfway through the semester and have no money left,” Dugan said. “So they’re always looking for opportunities that create an advantage.”

Dugan said displaying artwork can develop a sense of belonging. With the new terminal about to open, board members have expressed interest in the idea.

Shawn Long, deputy airport director, invited Dugan on a tour of the new terminal to discuss where proposed artwork could be placed. Long also announced that construction of the terminal has been completed, making it the perfect time to start planning the decoration.

“Adding art to the new terminal will only add to the passenger experience,” Long said. “When passengers arrive to catch their flight, it gives them a pleasant environment and just adds to the overall experience.”

Contact Esteban at [email protected]