Jet Center plans under way
By JOLENE CRAIG, jcraig@newsandsentinel.comArticle Photos
WILLIAMSTOWN - Plans for the Parkersburg Jet Center are under way as the contract goes into effect today, officials said.
Bill Thayer, who signed a 50-year lease with the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport for hangar No. 5 and the Civil Air Patrol building, said the center could be up and running in 60 days.
"We take over the building (today)," said Thayer, an Atlantic City businessman and owner of the jet center. "There's still work to be done before we open."
He said he plans to renovate and make repairs such as putting a new roof on hangar five as well as other interior and exterior work on both buildings.
"We're probably 60 days away from being finished," Thayer said.
Thayer has hired Parkersburg architect Dominic Kim to work on the buildings to give the complex a new look.
"I don't want to bring in future clients without being dressed in our Sunday best," Thayer said.
Airport manager Terry Moore said Thayer's presentation of the cleaned up facilities makes sense.
"The people he's going to be showing it to have certain expectations and he knows what they want," Moore said.
Thayer said the economy and high fuel costs will probably not help the jet center when it opens.
"It's not going to take off right away," Thayer said. "But we're here for 95 years and I'm positive things will pick up."
In January, Thayer signed a 50-year, $10,000-a-month lease for the two buildings with an option for three renewals.
Thayer said he plans to establish a service facility and park as many as six 737s on the airport grounds. The Civil Air Patrol building will be used as a pilots' lounge.
Moore said the 4,500-square-foot Civil Air Patrol building may include such things as games, workout machinery and computers for the use of pilots and executives while waiting.
"We have been looking forward to this service for several months," Moore said. "We hopes the Parkersburg Jet Center will be able to stimulate more business at the airport."
Moore said the West Virginia Senate Bill 265, which was signed March 28 and goes into effect today, is expected to help the jet center.
"The legislation really makes this work and gives unlimited potential for the Parkersburg Jet Center to grow," Moore said.
The bill will tax airplanes and helicopters owned or leased by commercial airlines, charter carriers and private carriers, including companies that operate aircraft to convey employees for business purposes, at salvage value, which is 5 percent of the aircraft's original cost.
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acengineer
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07-09-08 11:27 PM
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I love the idea of the jet center. As a kid I would drive from Marietta to the airport to watch 737's (T-43's) take off. However I don't see how a bill that taxes aircraft will help. Is the tax lower than the current tax? I just can't imagine Big Bob Businessman saying "You know Myrtle, let's park our BBJ at Wood County Airport, it's only taxed at 5% of the purchase price!". FYI a BBJ runs for around 100 million or more, 5% is $5 million, and if you tax that it's $50 grand per percentage point. Sounds like a bargain to me.
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Wildcat
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07-01-08 10:53 PM
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I need more beer. Can anyone do an air drop out here?
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Wildcat
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07-01-08 10:51 PM
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I still won't fly out of that place until the price drops. The cost is too much. I can drive to Columbus, Akron, Cincy or Pittsburg for a lot cheaper, then fly out of there. Can MOVRA beat those prices?
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WVExpatriate
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07-01-08 2:46 PM
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This is a sign that hard work and determination by the Airport Manager, Terry Moore and the Airport Board can pay off. To bring a deal like this to the Parkersburg area is a real win and can create the synergy for additional development. Great job during tough times!
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KenJudy
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07-01-08 2:35 PM
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This is a project that I have been excited about after hearing about it. First impressions are a big deal for businesses. If you get off an airplain to a more established for the wealthy setting then you are more likely to attract more businesses to our area. This is a great thing for Parkersburg and Wood County. I would like to wish Mr. Thayer the best of luck and hopefully he will need all three renewels.
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