$10 million federal grant to aid Asheville Regional Airport

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority a $10 million grant to use toward its ongoing airfield redevelopment project, U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) said Tuesday.

“I’m grateful that DOT once again recognized the important role the Asheville Regional Airport plays in the western North Carolina region,” Meadows said. "Having a modernized runway will enable the airport to better serve travelers and support economic development in the region for years to come.”

The funding, to be distributed by the Federal Aviation Administration, will be used for the second phase of a four-year project that will add a new runway and a west-side taxiway. 

“As we enter the second phase of our four-phase airfield redevelopment project, I commend Congressman Meadows for his continued recognition and support of the importance of Asheville Regional Airport to the western North Carolina region,” Asheville Regional Airport Executive Director Lew Bleiweis said. “The temporary runway will be complete by the end of this year, which will allow us to move forward with demolition of our original runway and to build a new runway that will serve this region for decades to come.”  The runway is more than 50 years old.

The four-year project will cost $64 million, with 100 percent of the costs being covered by the FAA, North Carolina Department of Transportation and airport funds.