Foothills Regional Airport wins state and federal grants, officials outline expansion plans

Brent Brinkley, airport manager of the Foothills Regional Airport, told the Burke County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 21 that the airport is preparing to expand capacity after recent grant awards and steady growth.

Brinkley said the airport, which has a 5,500‑foot runway and three instrument approaches, recently received about $6 million in state grant funds to build multiple hangars and a $5.9 million federal grant award to extend a parallel taxiway this year. "These projects are truly gamechanging for the airport," he said, noting construction of the first hangar will begin in spring 2025.

He cited a North Carolina Division of Aviation economic-impact study showing the airport generated roughly $25 million in economic activity in 2023, supported 125 jobs and produced more than $1.5 million in tax revenue. Brinkley also said the airport recorded roughly 177,000 operations per year and that about 60 aircraft are based at the field; 90 applicants are currently on a waiting list for hangar space.

Commissioners asked about local services for transient customers and capacity constraints. Brinkley said most first‑time visitors travel into nearby Morganton or Leno for restaurants and services and confirmed the airport is at hangar capacity now; the new hangars and terminal‑area work are intended to relieve that constraint and boost economic development.

The board accepted the report as presented.

Next steps: Brinkley said environmental work funded by a $50,000 Golden Leaf award and planned terminal expansion would move forward in 2025, and construction on grants already awarded is expected to begin this year.