Install weather reporting equipment; construct taxilane; acquire aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicle

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded a Project Grant of $2,536,661.05 to the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Aviation Division on September 10, 2025, under the Airport Improvement Program (CFDA 20.106) to administer a state block grant program supporting nonprimary airport improvements throughout North Carolina. The grant funds airport infrastructure projects including weather reporting equipment installation, taxilane construction, and acquisition of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles. The project performance period extends through September 9, 2029, allowing adequate time for design, construction, and project closeout activities typical of FAA infrastructure grants.

The Aviation Division is distributing sub-awards to local entities to execute specific airport improvement projects at nonprimary airports across the state. Sub-awardees include County of Currituck (hangar taxilane construction awarded January 26, 2026), County of Forsyth (ARFF vehicle acquisition awarded January 20, 2026), City of Washington (hangar taxilane construction awarded November 10, 2025), and County of Columbus (Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) installation site preparation awarded November 10, 2025). This block grant structure enables the state to serve as the federal intermediary, ensuring coordinated infrastructure enhancements and maintaining safety and operational standards across the state's nonprimary airport system.

Activities and expected outcomes

This project awards a state block grant program grant to the state of north carolina to administer airport improvement program sub-awards for nonprimary airports within the state. Intended beneficiary: this grant will provide federal funding for airports in the north carolina state block grant program.