RALEIGH – The N.C. Board of Transportation has approved
state and federal funds for much-needed improvements to nine of North Carolina’s
publicly-owned airports.
The $3.7 million in funding, approved by the board during its June meeting,
will be used to provide improvements such as better runway lighting, new fuel
tanks and safer taxiways.
North Carolina airports serve as a vital economic engine connecting people
and business enterprises with the world. They are among the primary economic
drivers in their local communities.
For example, $1.59 million will be used to prepare land for new t-hangars and
taxilanes at Shelby-Cleveland County Regional Airport. The hangars and taxilanes
will enable the facility to accommodate more aircraft, enhance customer service
and generate additional tax revenue for the airport, said Jack Poole, the
airport’s supervisor.
“We have a waiting list of over 20 pilots that want to base their aircraft
here,” Poole said. “Once we have these hangars built, these based aircraft will
be an income source and help our airport become almost totally
self-sufficient.”
The projects the N.C. Board of Transportation approved include:
- $10,602 to help replace aging fuel tanks at Avery County Airport.
- $873,900 for taxiway reconstruction at Burlington-Alamance Regional Airport.
- $257,400 to design the second phase of the west apron expansion, at Cape Fear
Regional Jetport (Southport).
- $249,930 to design an apron expansion and a new helipad at Harnett Regional
Jetport.
- $236,970 for runway lighting and improved aprons at Henderson-Oxford
Airport.
- $9,410 to clear and prepare land for a future Automated Weather Observation
Station at Martin County Airport.
- $171,000 for design of an improved apron at Michael J. Smith Field
(Beaufort).
- $211,500 to reimburse the airport for land purchased for a runway extension
at Mt. Airy-Surry County Airport.
- $116,550 to add taxiway rehabilitation to the existing design of a project
to rehabilitate a runway at Washington-Warren Field.
Airports and aviation-related industries contribute $31 billion to North
Carolina’s economy each year, according to a 2016 report.
There are 123,400 airport-related jobs in the state. The Division of Aviation is
responsible for state airport and aviation system planning and development, and
provides funding to communities for constructing and improving airports
throughout the state.
The funds awarded do not in all cases represent the total cost of the
project.
Contact: James Pearce
919-812-1685
jpearce2@ncdot.gov