HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — CSX Transportation Inc. (CSXT) on Wednesday announced its support for the proposed regional airport for southwestern West Virginia, according to a company press release.
“In this fast-moving economy, businesses expect to have efficient, reliable transportation systems,” said Al Crown, executive vice president – Transportation for CSXT. “West Virginia is fortunate to be served by an excellent rail network, good highways and waterways. However, without a first- class airport, this state will not be able to fully compete in the new economy.”
CSX Corporation (NYSE: CSX – news) is the state’s second-largest private employer, with about 3,500 railroad employees and another 1,600 employees at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs. CSX averages about 2,700 flights annually in or out of Tri-State and Yeager airports. For that reason, the company supports a regional airport with runways long enough to accommodate large commercial aircraft and cargo planes, and one that meets the Federal Aviation Administration’s highest standards, Crown said.
“CSX has played an important role in developing West Virginia’s economy and has a keen interest in seeing the state move forward and prosper,” said Crown, who is the former vice president of the railroad’s Central Region, headquartered in Huntington. “The proposed airport will be a catalyst for economic development in southern West Virginia, particularly the I-64 corridor.”
Crown applauded West Virginia Governor Bob Wise and United States Representative Nick Rahall for first proposing the project a decade ago and challenged other leaders to support the project.
“Too often, West Virginia has been bypassed by the prosperity enjoyed in other areas of the country,” Crown said. “Now is the time to step up to the plate and make the decision to take the steps necessary to move the state forward.”
CSXT and its 35,000 employees provide rail transportation and distribution services over a 23,000 route-mile network in 23 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. CSXT is a business unit of CSX Corp. (NYSE: CSX – news), headquartered in Richmond, Va.