Federal Grant Award Summary

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded $7.36 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Aviation Division on July 23, 2026, under the Airport Improvement Program (CFDA 20.116) to administer a state block grant program distributing federal funding to nonprimary airports throughout North Carolina. The award, with an expected completion date of July 22, 2030, authorizes the Aviation Division to serve as the pass-through intermediary between the FAA and local airport authorities, counties, and municipalities across the state, distributing sub-awards for airport infrastructure improvements including hangar construction and expansion projects.

Through this state block grant mechanism, the Aviation Division will obligate and oversee federal funding for diverse airport infrastructure activities at eligible nonprimary airports within the National Plan of Integrated Airports Systems. Typical sub-award projects funded through this program include runway and taxiway rehabilitation, lighting reconstruction, terminal construction and expansion, apron pavement work, and aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle acquisition. The Aviation Division's primary deliverable is effective grant administration—obligating sub-awards in compliance with FAA requirements, managing environmental assessments and planning documentation, processing sub-awards to eligible recipients, and ensuring timely project closeout and federal compliance across its portfolio of nonprimary airport sub-awardees.