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Scotland County hears multi‑million airport expansion plan; Sky High Expo set for September
Summary
Southeast Regional Airport Authority told Scotland County commissioners it secured federal and state funding for a new terminal and is pursuing hangars, perimeter fencing and other infrastructure. The authority also previewed a three‑day Sky High Expo airshow and business expo with concerts, a car event and fireworks.
Southeast Regional Airport Authority officials told the Scotland County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 4 that the airport at Laurinburg‑Maxton is entering a multi‑year expansion that includes a new terminal building, additional hangars and other infrastructure paid with federal, state and local funds.
The airport authority estimated the facility’s annual economic impact at about $187,000,000 and said Larimer‑Maxton ranks 10th among North Carolina’s 62 general‑aviation airports in that metric. Authority representatives told commissioners they received a $1 million award from the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Terminal Program and that the state Division of Aviation offered $1,125,000 in matching funds for a conceptual new terminal that will double the current 3,500‑square‑foot building’s footprint.
“[The state Division of Aviation] volunteered matching funds of $1,125,000 to that project,” said Seth Hatchell, who presented the authority’s fact sheet to the board. He outlined six active capital projects, including a terminal design, new tee hangars, corporate hangar designs and a recently completed fuel farm that doubles prior capacity.
Hatchell said the airport has grown from eight based aircraft six years ago to 35 today, and that demand for hangar space is strong: the authority estimates 35 based aircraft but only 20 hangars and a wait list of about 15 additional aircraft seeking to base at the field.
The authority also previewed the Sky High Expo, a three‑day event billed as an air show, fly‑in and business expo. Trey Brown, who described himself as leading the event presentation, said the weekend will include a separate STEM day for schools and organizations on Friday, public air‑show demonstrations Saturday and Sunday, a fireworks display Saturday night, precision exotic car demonstrations, a jet‑powered truck run and educational programming with local schools.
“Ticket sales are currently live,” Brown told commissioners, saying about 350 tickets had sold at the time of the meeting. The authority said safety and operations will be coordinated with the FAA and local authorities and that necessary waivers and permits are in place for performers and demonstrations.
Airport officials asked county leaders to note ongoing design and permitting work and encouraged commissioners to visit the field; they said work now in design and construction phases would transform the airport “in about 24 months” if projects proceed as scheduled.
The airport presentation was an informational report; no formal county action was taken at the meeting.
