ONEONTA, N.Y. -- The Oneonta Municipal Airport is seeing major improvements thanks to the work of more than 50 students from surrounding areas.
Students from the city's Job Corps Academy completed a two-year project Tuesday, as Oneonta Municipal Airport saw its first major improvements in more than 50 years Tuesday afternoon.
For commissioners, the renovations mark a turning point, not just for the airport, but for the new workforce leaders of the city.
"We need more young people that know how to put in an electrical outlet, know how to put up 2x4 studding, know how to put in windows and doors and installation and make homes and buildings a better product for today," said City of Oneonta Airport Commissioner Leonard Carson.
And that's the exact goal of the Oneonta Job Corps Academy. More than 50 students worked on improving the airport's terminal for nearly two years.
"It actually means a lot, because it brings the community together and shows how much us job corps students are capable of, even though we're in the learning process," said Job Corps Academy member Manuel Moreno. "It gives us a good reputation around the community."
It's a reputation that's caught the attention of State Senator James Seward. He says building a connection between students and the city will make communities run more efficiently.
"They've learned a lot here," Seward said, "and put that knowledge to work, and it's a great benefit for this airport."
Students say leaving their mark on the community will only help their careers in the future.
"It means a lot to me," Academy member Nate Morris said. "When I first came here, there was nothing here. Now we have this beautiful building and I think it's a great way to build up the community, help it out and bring new faces to the community."
They're new faces that airport commissioners will welcome with open arms. Commissioners of the Oneonta Municipal Airport say they plan to continue working with students in the future to renovate more areas of the airport.