Military Contractor Blackwater Wants To Build Airstrips In N.C.NORFOLK, Va. -- Military contractor Blackwater USA has applied for a permit to build a pair of airstrips in North Carolina as the war in Iraq continues to fuel the company's growth. Blackwater, based in Moyock, N.C., employs 1,300 contractors with a database of 4,700 more and trains 500 military and law enforcement personnel a week, according to Fast Company magazine, which selected Blackwater as one of its top 50 innovative business leaders. Blackwater also has an aviation arm based in Florida, and now wants permission to build a 6,000-foot airstrip, a 2,550-foot airstrip, a 5,000-square-foot pilot building and a 20,000-square-foot hangar in Camden County, according to county records. The county planning board could review the request in April, said Dave Parks, chief inspector for Camden County. A 6,000-foot runway could handle most corporate jets and many military aircraft, said Scott Hinton, airport manager for the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Regional Airport. Last week, Blackwater moved into a 66,569-square-foot, two-story building with nearly 300 rooms. The building is the largest in Camden County. The Currituck County Board of Commissioners agreed in February to allow Blackwater to build firing ranges, classrooms and a bunkhouse near Moyock. The project would be the first of its type for Blackwater in Currituck County. Last modified March 8, 2006 |