Laurinburg Maxton Airport Authority outlines $187M economic impact and new developments

The Scotland County Board of Commissioners convened on August 4, 2025, to discuss various updates and initiatives, primarily focusing on the Southeast Regional Airport Authority's progress and upcoming events.

The meeting began with remarks from Thomas, who expressed gratitude to the commissioners and county staff for their ongoing support of the airport. He introduced Seth Hatchell, who provided a detailed report on the airport's activities and achievements. Hatchell highlighted the airport's estimated annual economic impact of $187 million, ranking it as the 10th largest among North Carolina's 62 general aviation airports. He noted that the airport's budget is the largest in its history, driven by significant capital infrastructure projects.

Hatchell outlined six active projects, with the most notable being the construction of a new terminal building. This project, funded by a combination of federal, state, and local resources, will double the size of the existing terminal, which was built in 1975. Additionally, a new fuel farm has been completed, and plans for two sets of tee hangars are underway to accommodate the growing number of based aircraft, which has increased from eight to 35 in recent years.

The meeting also covered the recent launch of an aviation career education academy, which engaged local middle and high school students in learning about aviation careers through hands-on experiences. Hatchell emphasized the importance of community engagement and education in fostering interest in aviation.

Trey Brown then took the floor to discuss the upcoming Sky High Expo, scheduled for September 5-7, 2025. This event will feature an air show, a fly-in, and a business expo, with participation from military and civilian aircraft. Brown noted that the event has grown significantly, with ticket sales already underway and interest from attendees across several states. He assured attendees that ample parking would be available on the airport grounds.

The meeting concluded with a Q&A session, where commissioners expressed enthusiasm for the airport's developments and the upcoming expo. Overall, the discussions underscored the airport's vital role in the local economy and community engagement, as well as the exciting future developments planned for the facility.