Ground Broken on $16M Project in City that is First at North Central West Virginia Airport's AeroTech Park
By Jeff Toquinto on October 02, 2025
After announcing their multi-million dollar and multi-phased project in August, KCI Aviation held a groundbreaking ceremony at the AeroTech Park on the grounds of the North Central West Virginia Airport.
The event officially recognized the start of the first phase of a $16 million aircraft maintenance facility that will be the Mid-Atlantic Jet Center. The initial phase comes at a cost of $7.4 million and will be the first facility to open at the new business park adjacent to the airport’s new terminal expected to open in the months ahead.
“We’re well under construction,” KCI Aviation President and CEO Chuck Koukoulis said. “The contractor has most of the site excavated, footers and foundations are poured, and they’re getting ready to pour for the space where the vertical steel bolts up. The really good news is that all the steel for the building is there.”
The first phase of the project that is underway is a hangar that will cover 30,000 square feet, most of which will be dedicated for engine 
repairs. Eventually, the entire project will be in the range of 80,000 square feet.
repairs. Eventually, the entire project will be in the range of 80,000 square feet.
Among those speaking, Benedum Airport Authority President and Harrison County Commissioner David Hinkle – a lifelong friend of the family – said this was extra special for reasons even beyond that.
“(KCI Aviation) is one of ours,” said Hinkle, “and that means a lot…(Chuck) stepped up to be a big-time player at this airport.”
Local contractor City Construction, working with the Thrasher Group as the engineer and architect, is the general contractor on the project. Koukoulis said they have been aided by Mother Nature.
“The weather, for the most part, has been perfect, particularly for this phase that includes a lot of excavating,” said Koukoulis. “We’ve made great progress.”
City Construction could be seen prepping the site on a sunny day in a manner where the two phases – two buildings – will connect. Koukoulis said the target to begin work on the second phase and building is the spring of 2026.
While the buildings will cover roughly 80,000 square feet, with the ramp apron and other areas, the project will total 110,000 square feet. It will sit on just under five acres.
KCI’s presence will mark a return to the North Central West Virginia Airport. Several years ago, the company that was founded by the late Angelo Koukoulis, an aviation pioneer in West Virginia, KCI Aviation moved operations to the old AFG plant just over the Harrison County line in Taylor County. The move came after the company’s lease was not renewed at NCWV Airport.
Angelo Koukoulis was mentioned frequently during Wednesday’s event as his son Chuck, the current head of KCI, occasionally got emotional when talking about his father. They were joined at the event by Angelo’s Daughter, Irene Koukoulis Sellas.
“It’s so great to be here to honor this guy,” said Koukoulis of his father, whose roots at the airport go back to 1951.
It was also special because this year is the 40th anniversary of KCI Aviation. The K stands for Koukoulis, while the C and the I stand for his children Chuck and Irene.
Chuck Koukoulis inherited his father’s determination that allowed the business to continue away from the airport from property and now expand it. Along with the Taylor County operation, KCI also has a presence in Buckhannon. Both of those facilities, he said, will remain open after the new facility is opened in Bridgeport.
“We’re very excited to be coming back, and we’ve got a lot of worked lined up,” said Koukoulis. “… Not only are we doing work in our area, but we have response teams that do work all over the country.”
NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock also praised Koukoulis for always being involved.
“It’s a testament to your grit and determination that this is getting done,” said Rock.
As for the aforementioned AFG site, it is where KCI does its “back shop work.” The company does inspections on engines and a lot of work for its major client Pratt & Whitney, which also has a large facility at NCWV Airport. Along with storage and logistical support for Pratt and Whitney, the company also does many similar work items for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Regional Jets.
At Buckhannon, the facility has a more specialized work focus. Koukoulis said smaller aircraft and engine work is done there.
“We just renewed our Buckhannon lease,” he said. “That’s good for our smaller planes and we’ll soon have a new home for big planes in Bridgeport.”
Koukoulis said the hope is to have a grand opening in June of 2026.
Following the groundbreaking, those on hand were invited to tour the new NCWV Airport Terminal. Food and drink were served inside the terminal.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows various officials getting ready to toss dirt at Wednesday's groundbreaking. In the second photo, Chuck Koukoulis gets emotional while talking about his father Angelo and looking at his father's portrait that was on hand at the event. Third image shows City Construction making progress, while Mayor Robert Matheny addresses the crowd below. Like several on hand, Matheny is a lifelong friend of the Koukoulis family.
