BEAVER, W.Va.- New River Community and Technical College received a $100,000 American
Electric Power (AEP) Foundation grant to support the purchase of equipment for the college’s
development of an Aircraft Maintenance Technician School.
“We appreciate AEP’s support in assisting the College to develop innovative programs,” said
New River CTC President Dr. Bonny Copenhaver. “College programs, like this one, are
designed to meet the needs of employers in our region and to train and employ community
members. Partners like Appalachian Power and the AEP Foundation are essential in helping us
to fulfill our mission as a community college.”
The Aircraft Maintenance Technician School with an Airframe and Powerplant rating will support
manufacturing and innovation initiatives by working with the Raleigh County Memorial Airport
and the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority. New River CTC’s Board of
Governors along with the West Virginia Community and Technical College Council approved the
purchase of a hangar at the Raleigh County Memorial Airport in 2022.
“The American Electric Power Foundation is pleased to help foster education, training and
economic advancement through this grant,” said Ronn Robinson, external affairs manager with
Appalachian Power. “The college’s acquisition of this airframe will advance its aircraft
maintenance program and provide training opportunities that will translate into good jobs for
NRCTC students and the community,” he said.
Both the Raleigh County Memorial Airport and the Greenbrier Valley Regional Airport are now
classified as AEROReady™ regions, indicating that the infrastructure is in place to build this
sector of the economy.
New River CTC is currently working with the Federal Aviation Administration to obtain the
necessary FAR 147 certificates to be able to offer the aircraft maintenance courses.
