U.S. Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) on Monday announced that the first version of the appropriations package for the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies has included his request for $4 million to rebuild the Wright Company Factory buildings damaged in a March fire.
“I have been working with the House Appropriations Committee, and we have received their support for $4 million that will go to the overall costs of renovating this facility to tell the story of the Wright Brothers,” said Rep. Turner during an Aug. 1 press conference in Dayton, Ohio.
Dayton Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims, Jr., and Mackensie Wittmer, executive director of the National Aviation Heritage Area, joined Rep. Turner during the press conference, which was held at the Wright Company Factory where they discussed their collective efforts to rehabilitate the site following the fire.
“The Wright Brothers Factory is an incredible and historic building. This location became operational to build airplanes in 1909 and it is part of the story of the aviation heritage in the area,” said Rep. Turner. “I worked on the original legislation that authorized the park district to expand this to include this in our national park network.
“We have been working collaboratively, as a community, to try and restore these buildings to make them part of our fabric again in telling our story of our history with flight,” the lawmaker said.
The Wright Company Factory buildings on March 26 caught fire, sustaining significant damage. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to information provided by Rep. Turner’s office.
The congressman requested $4.5 million in Community Project Funding for the restoration project and on July 12 the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies included $4 million in its initial legislation for the factory, the information says.
The full House Appropriations Committee approved the legislation on July 18 and the City of Dayton will receive the funds if the legislation is enacted. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to take up government funding bills such as this one later this year, states the information.
“I’m thankful for Congressman Turner’s sustained commitment to investing in our community and restoring the Wright Company Factory after this unprecedented fire,” said Mayor Mims. “The Wright Brothers’ legacy is essential to telling the story of Dayton, Ohio, and I look forward to working with Congressman Turner to advance this critical project.”
Wittmer also commended Rep. Turner for his “responsive actions” to both assess the fire damage and bring a national spotlight to the heritage project.
“I am thankful that Congressman Turner and Mayor Mims will continue to work together to bring resources to the Wright Company factory site,” she said.