Construct/expand fuel farm; reconstruct taxilane; reconstruct runway lighting; rehabilitate taxiway lighting; reconstruct wildlife perimeter fencing; reconstruct perimeter fencing; shift taxiway;…

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), through its Airport Improvement Program (CFDA 20.106), awarded a $20.8 million Project Grant to the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Aviation Division on September 10, 2025, with a completion date of September 9, 2029. This award functions as a state block grant program that enables the Aviation Division to administer and distribute federal Airport Improvement Program sub-awards to nonprimary airports throughout North Carolina. The grant supports a comprehensive array of airport infrastructure improvements, including runway and taxiway rehabilitation, runway and taxiway lighting reconstruction and rehabilitation, terminal construction and expansion, apron pavement reseal and rehabilitation, hangar construction and expansion, fuel farm construction and expansion, perimeter and wildlife fencing reconstruction, apron and runway markings rehabilitation, airport rotating beacon replacement, FAA Contract Tower modernization, and airport master plan updates.

As of the reporting date, the Aviation Division has obligated portions of this block grant to 21 sub-awardees representing county governments, airport authorities, and municipalities across North Carolina. Notable sub-award recipients include Jackson County Airport ($1.2+ million for terminal design), Rocky Mount Wilson Regional Airport Authority (hangar construction), Town of Siler City (airfield pavement and markings rehabilitation), City of Hickory (FAA Contract Tower modernization), and multiple county airport authorities undertaking taxilane, apron, runway lighting, and obstruction removal projects. These sub-awards demonstrate the program's focus on enhancing safety, operational efficiency, and infrastructure modernization at regional and nonprimary aviation facilities across the state.

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.