New River Community and Technical College Story Archives

Industrial Park Set For Construction Near Raleigh County Airport

The 105-acre park is planned as part of an aviation and economic development hub in the southern part of the state. The New River Gorge Development Authority officially began work on the project after accepting a $7.7 million bid from A.L.L. Construction last Saturday.

Site preparations began Monday on an industrial park at the Raleigh County Memorial Airport.

The authority plans to use the park to attract aerospace and cargo firms to the area. It’s also meant to provide jobs for the local labor force – New River Gorge Community and Technical College expects to have its aviation and maintenance technician program open by the end of 2024.

Other recent developments at the airport include federal grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration and Economic Development Administration, the construction of a training hangar for aviation maintenance students and funding for a new road that would connect the airport to rail transportation.

Overall, the total investment in improvements being made to the airport and nearby facilities totals $8.3 million.

The industrial park is planned to be completed in a year, according to the agency.

New River Gorge Community And Technical College Receives Aviation Program Grant

The college is receiving grant funding from the American Electric Power Foundation to help get their new Aviation And Maintenance Technician School off the ground.

The grant puts $100,000 towards buying equipment for the new aviation program. At least some of the funding is going towards getting a jet engine powered aircraft and operational systems students can work on.

“It just enables us to give students hands-on, real experience on working on an aircraft,” Program Director Art Dilger said. “It’s really exciting to see it all come together.”

The sentiment was echoed by school president Bonny Copenhaver, who said in a statement that these programs “are designed to meet the needs of employers in our region and to train and employ community members.”

The school’s focus on aviation is meant to address a nationwide shortage of mechanics in the field. They’re joining other schools around the state in creating more aviation programs, like Marshall and Shepherd Universities.

“For our area that enables younger people or students to get into a career there’s no end to,” Dilger said. “They can continue growing and continue being educated as they move forward.”

Nearby Raleigh County Memorial Airport is also supporting the program, with New River Community Technical College purchasing a hangar at the airport last year.

The program is currently in the process to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, but Dilger said he expects the school to be fully opened by the end of 2024.

W.Va. State, New River CTC Enter Transfer Agreement

Some students at New River Community and Technical College who complete two-year degrees can transfer into a four-year program at West Virginia State…

Some students at New River Community and Technical College who complete two-year degrees can transfer into a four-year program at West Virginia State University.

Officials from both schools announced an agreement Tuesday involving online and evening classes at West Virginia State.

It lets New River graduates in business administration, law enforcement and corrections complete their bachelor’s degrees in business or criminal justice.

School officials say the program gives students the choice to travel to the West Virginia State campus in Institute or take classes through New River’s Raleigh County campus.

Deal Offers New Certification and College Credit to High School Students

New River Community and Technical College and the state Board of Education are partnering to offer students a pathway to careers in automotive…

New River Community and Technical College and the state Board of Education are partnering to offer students a pathway to careers in automotive technology.

A deal allows automotive technology students to earn college credits and certifications in high school. The program will offer certifications in maintenance and light repair, and automotive service. A master automotive technician designation can be earned at the postsecondary level.

New River president L. Marshall Washington and state associate schools superintendent Kathy J. D’Antonio signed the agreement this week at the college’s Advanced Technology Center in Raleigh County.

Washington says in a news release that automotive technology students previously had to travel out of state to receive advanced training.