Airplane Manufacturer Makes Room for More with New 40,000-SF Facility

BRIDGEPORT, WVA-Unmanned aerial vehicle designer and flight services supplier Aurora Flight Sciences Corp. has broken ground on a new 40,000-sf manufacturing facility to complement its existing structure at the Harrison-Marion Regional Airport, a redeveloped aerospace complex within Harrison County limits. Specifically, Manassas, VA-headquartered Aurora will rely on the additional space to increase the company’s production of RQ-4A Global Hawk airplanes for use by the US Air Force. Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex, the corporation that is behind development at Harrison-Marion, is actually footing the bill for the $2.3 million facility, which it will lease to Aurora upon completion.

The expansion project will ultimately create about 120 new positions to supplement the team of 110 employees currently working at Aurora’s existing Harrison-Marion locale. “Jobs in the industry require specialized skills that our qualified pool of workers can easily provide,” says Gov. Bob Wise. “West Virginia is an excellent location for top flight companies.” Other aerospace concerns at Harrison-Marion include Bombardier Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney Aircraft and the Robert C. Byrd Fairmont State College National Aerospace Education Center. Aurora’s new building is on target to reach completion by year’s end.