Fairmont State University Receives Over $2M in Congressionally Directed Spending to Equip Campus Police and Aviation with Essential Resources
West Virginia’s bedrock regional institution, Fairmont State University, has been awarded more than $2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funds for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, thanks to Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Senator Jim Justice. The University received $643,000 for campus police resource upgrades and $1,650,000 for aviation equipment. The CDS process allows members of Congress to allocate federal funds to specific projects in their states or districts. CDS supports local initiatives and community development, ensuring projects that benefit West Virginia are properly funded.
“Fairmont State University is profoundly grateful for this federal funding, which will bolster two critical priorities for our institution: the safety of our campus community and the continued growth of our aviation program,” said President Mike Davis. “I want to thank Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Senator Jim Justice for their support of West Virginia and for recognizing the importance of these investments. These funds will equip our police officers with advanced resources to help keep our students, faculty, staff, and visitors safe, while also allowing our Aviation program to expand capacity to prepare highly skilled pilots for a workforce that is urgently needed in West Virginia and across the nation. This support strengthens the student experience at Fairmont State, advances economic development, and expands workforce opportunity throughout North Central West Virginia.”
This funding will be used to equip the Fairmont State University Police Department (UPD) with necessary updated resources to better prevent crime and protect the campus and community. UPD has Mutual Aid Agreements in place, which enables law enforcement to work together in one another’s jurisdictions upon request. This CDS award will improve Fairmont State UPD’s interoperability with Marion County Department of Homeland Security Emergency Management DHSEM/911, by enabling the purchase of updated resources.
The CDS funds allocated to the Aviation program will be used to increase the capacity of Fairmont State University’s flight center through the purchase of additional aircraft, creating more opportunities for future pilots. Fairmont State boasts a Federal Aviation Administration Code of Federal Regulations Part 141 flight training center that produces approximately a dozen commercial pilot graduates a year. The new aircraft will help the University keep pace with the North Central West Virginia aerospace workforce’s high demand, further improving West Virginia’s transportation infrastructure and strengthening the economy.
Fairmont State remains committed to educating engaged citizens in a community distinguished by opportunity, growth, and achievement, delivering transformational impact for West Virginia and beyond. This CDS appropriation and other funding awards reflect the University’s close cooperation with elected officials in Charleston, WV and Washington, D.C. Their support is essential to the University continuing to be a Great Place to Learn, to Work, and to Call Home.
