Three general aviation airports in North Carolina, including one in the Hickory Metro, will undergo improvements. This has been made possible as a result of grants they were awarded from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Supplemental Discretionary Grants promote sustainability and resiliency. They will be used to make critical upgrades to the Davidson County Executive Airport, Wayne Executive Jetport, and the Hickory Regional Airport.
The $750,000 grant awarded to Hickory Regional Airport will be used to upgrade the runway lighting system. This project includes replacing the existing incandescent runway and threshold lights, along with the Precision Approach Path Indicators, with energy- efficient LED Lighting. These upgrades will improve energy efficiency and enhance operational safety, particularly during nighttime operations and in inclement weather.
These grants align with North Carolina’s ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and promote clean transportation initiatives, supporting Governor Roy Cooper’s vision for a greener, more resilient transportation network. The AIP Supplemental Discretionary Grant is part of a larger FAA initiative to modernize and improve airports across the U.S., with a focus on sustainability, resiliency and safety.
Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY