By Jeff Toquinto
The Bridgeport News

Jim Skidmore remembers the snickers. He remembers the laughter. He remembers the pessimism.

For Skidmore, it's all still fresh in his mind.

Even though the initial skepticism came about more than a decade ago when he was brought on board as the executive of the newly developed center of aerospace activity, he can easily recall the doubt about what was being proposed.

The proposal was to make Bridgeport's Benedum Airport the home to a potentially-thriving aerospace industry.

To reach that goal, the concept of the Mid_Atlantic Aerospace Complex (MAAC) was created. MAAC was to serve as the marketing and unified voice to create a hub of aerospace activity based on service, maintenance, manufacturing and warehousing.

And, it's worked.

Today, MAAC is proud to say its efforts have led to the arrival and retention of nearly a dozen businesses at Beneduum Airport's aerospace park that has resulted, at times, to more that 1,200 jobs and, what has been estimated, as more that 3,000 spinoff jobs.

It also boasts of $46million in direct wages and benefits to the community.

But the journey was not an easy one and was not expected, by many, to work.

"I can guarantee you it was viewed by many as a pipe dream," said Skidmore.

"There were a lot of people who thought this concept would never work out."

More important that those doubting what MAAC could do, were those who believed in it. Spearheading the effort was Congressman Alan B. Mollohan and U.S Sen. Robert C. Byrd, two highly influential and respected members of Congress.

"You have to give credit where credit is due," said Skidmore.

"Alan B. Mollohan and Robert C. Byrd had the vision for MAAC and were willing to do the hard work and deliver on what they felt was needed to make the vision a reality."

Mollohan's interest began in 1988 and , once interested, he got things going full force.

"For those that don't think the Congressman had vision about this, I can tell them about a meeting in 1988 in Julios (in Clarksburg)," said Skidmore.

"He hosted a breakfast and invited commissioners from various counties, several mayors, engineers, corporations, you name it, and they were there."

"He told everyone what we were going to do and how we were going to develop the vision," Skidmore continued. "He told us that we had better get the infrastructure in place to handle what was coming."

For some, believing what Mollohan said would be coming would be a hard pill to swallow. In the 1980s, the economy of North Central West Virginia was in shambles and Benedum Airport, which began in the 1930s as a grass airstrip, had only a small amount of aerospace industry located on its property.

"I think part of the reluctance of people accepting what the congressman was saying stems from, at the time, the terrible shape of the economy," said Skidmore.

"It was still extraction industry driven and the only thing we had at the airport in terms of manufacturing was Pratt & Whitney."

Even with a struggling economy and a small presence by aerospace companies in and around Harrison County, Mollohan managed to get the right players in position to move the concept forward.

One of those players was then Hope Gas, Inc. President Ralph Bean. Bean actually loaned MAAC an executive - Skidmore - to help develop the complex.

While the loaning of Skidmore to MAAC early on helped with the marketing and development, the presence of Harrison County Delegate Barbara Warner provided the Benedum Airport with a voice in Charleston. Warner's status in the state's capital provided the support for the all-important infrastructure needed to attract aerospace industry.

Of course, the fact that Byrd was busy with several huge initiatives in the area, most notably the nearby FBI facility, made him an immediate ally and proponent of the vision.

With so many players in place, things began happening. And, they happened in lightening fashion.

Starting with the breaking of ground for the West Virginia Air Center on Oct. 13, 1989 to May of 1995, MAAC was, as Skidmore put it, "red hot."

"In that time period, we saw a Northrop Grumman, the Robert C. Byrd school, the Army National Guard's Fixed Wing Detachment and the KCI facility come aboard. They just kept coming and you could see the vision becoming a reality," said Skidmore.

Although things slowed down after 1995 as far as new facilities, work at the airport continued at full throttle.

The largest, of course, was the $30 million-plus runway extension project that Byrd secured funding for and the creation of a road around the airport for easy access to the land developed as a by-product of the extension. Although things slowed down after 1995 as far as new facilities, work at the airport continued at full throttle.

The Army National Guard's arrival for what resulted in millions of dollars of free labor is the product of MAAC Board of Directors President Richard Detrio, a 27-year military man, who helped convince Byrd to bring in the troops. Although things slowed down after 1995 as far as new facilities, work at the airport continued at full throttle.

"I can remember Richard Detrio saying, 'I wonder why we can't use this site as a training mission and use the military to help us out.' From there he got with Sen. Byrd and , naturally, Sen. Byrd knew the right people to talk with." Although things slowed down after 1995 as far as new facilities, work at the airport continued at full throttle.

More than five years after Detrio's idea and Byrd's commitment, then runway extension project is complete. In addition, more than40 acres is available at a new industrial park and the future for the Benedum Airport and the aerospace industry is brighter. Although things slowed down after 1995 as far as new facilities, work at the airport continued at full throttle.

"Benedum Airport is integral to our plan for diversifying the First District's economy. That plan is on track, with MAAC well on the way to becoming a powerful dynamo of economic activity for the entire region," Mollohan said. Although things slowed down after 1995 as far as new facilities, work at the airport continued at full throttle.

The activity is expected to continue. Although things slowed down after 1995 as far as new facilities, work at the airport continued at full throttle.

MAAC, behind the efforts of Mollohan, was recently awarded a $500,000 grant to market the airport. Although things slowed down after 1995 as far as new facilities, work at the airport continued at full throttle.

As important as that funding is the cooperation among members of the MAAC. Although things slowed down after 1995 as far as new facilities, work at the airport continued at full throttle.

Skidmore said the board of directors consists of members of the aerospace companies at the airport and also several at-large members with various assets they bring to MAAC's table. Although things slowed down after 1995 as far as new facilities, work at the airport continued at full throttle.

"It's important to note the cooperation," said Skidmore. "the companies have all gotten together to push this thing and they all know what's good for the other." Although things slowed down after 1995 as far as new facilities, work at the airport continued at full throttle.

"We're, right now, working with a dozen real prospects that have either met with or will b meeting with us shortly," said Skidmore. Although things slowed down after 1995 as far as new facilities, work at the airport continued at full throttle.

"They're civilian and military and for us that's encouraging. We're getting back into the game," Skidmore said. Although things slowed down after 1995 as far as new facilities, work at the airport continued at full throttle.

Business members of MAAC include KCI Aviation, Bombardiere, Pratt & Whitney, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Aurora Flight Services, Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center, FMW Rubber, Harrison Aviation and Army's Fixed Wing Training Center. Although things slowed down after 1995 as far as new facilities, work at the airport continued at full throttle.

Lockheed Martin and Aurora are members not located on the airport proper.