WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Upshur County Regional Airport will be receiving more than $90,000 in federal funding, Sen. Joe Manchin announced Wednesday.

Manchin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $7,249,095 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will support improvements at eight airports across West Virginia.

The funding was made possible by the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP).

The Upshur County Regional Airport, in Buckhannon, will receive two awards from the funding.

One award, totaling $58,876, will go toward installing a new airport rotating beacon to enhance safety. 

The second award, for $32,517, will be used to construct 10,000 square foot box hangar buildings.

The airport is located just off Brushy Fork Road at an elevation of 1,635 feet. The airport was activated in May 1998 when the prior landing strip at the base of the hill was closed.

“I’m pleased the DOT is investing more than $7.2 million to improve service, safety and efficiency at eight of our West Virginia airports,” Manchin said. “West Virginia’s airports are crucial gateways to the rest of the world, and the funding announced today will support local tourism as well as spur economic and commercial development across our entire state.

“As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources to support transportation hubs across the Mountain State.”

The other West Virginia airports that will receive funding include:

The Grant County Airport of Petersburg will receive $93,530. The funds will rehabilitate 10,300 square yards of the existing Main Apron pavement to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris. 

The Greenbrier Valley Regional Airport in Lewisburg will receive $6,507,704. This award will support rehabilitating 7,000 feet of Runway 4/22 to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and to minimize foreign object debris. 

The Mingo County Airport in Williamson will receive $153,598. This funding will be used to reconstruct 522 feet of existing perimeter fencing and one gate.

The West Virginia International Yeager Airport in Charleston will receive a total of $134,940. This award will be used to construct a new 1,200 foot retaining wall to stabilize the apron embankment to bring the airport into conformity with current standards.

The Mercer County Regional Airport in Bluefield will receive an award of $126,288. This funding will support an aeronautical survey for an area navigation instrument approach for Runway 23.

The Braxton County Airport in Sutton will receive a total of $72,483. This funding will construct new drainage ditches, drop inlets, and pipes to bring the airport into conformity with current standards.     

The Wood County Regional Airport in Parkersburg will receive an award of $69,159. This money will be used in rehabilitating 13,860 square feet and the existing 81,900 square foot non-revenue generating parking lot.