The N.C. Board of Transportation has approved state and federal funds for much-needed improvements to four North Carolina airports.

Almost $1.8 million in funding, approved by the board during its September meeting, will be used to provide improvements such as better runway lighting, new fuel tanks and safer taxiways.

The projects the N.C. Board of Transportation approved include:

$685,800 for reimbursement of land acquired for airport development at Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport;

$1,009,031 for rehabilitation of the parallel taxiway and associated connecting taxiways, as part of an ongoing runway rehab project at Mid-Carolina Regional Airport (Salisbury);

$65,000 in additional funding for design of a total perimeter fence, and bid and construction of the Phase I portion, at the Montgomery County Airport.
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.

Airports and aviation-related industries contribute more than $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 airport and aviation system planning and development, and provides funding to local communities for constructing and improving airports throughout the state.

The funds awarded do not in all cases represent the total cost of the project.