Foothills Regional Airport sees progress on hangars, taxiway, sewer funding

Foothills Regional Airport is entering a busy stretch of construction and planning as officials look to attract industry, improve infrastructure, and make room for more private hangars.

At the Foothills Regional Airport Authority’s Aug. 26 meeting, staff said the new fiscal year was off to a strong start, especially in fuel sales. July activity showed improved revenues compared with the same period last year, while operating expenses remained generally consistent and some categories were below prior-year levels.

The fixed-base general aviation operator report also showed strong hangar demand. In June, hangar occupancy averaged about 87% overall, or 96% excluding T-hangars. In August, occupancy remained about 87%, while accounts receivable were in good standing and Jet-A sales were running about 31% above the same period last year to start the 2026-27 fiscal year.

Major construction work is also advancing. The parallel taxiway project began construction Aug. 17, starting with tree clearing and erosion-control measures. The contract allows about 360 days for completion, which places expected completion around late summer 2027, depending on weather and construction conditions.

The airport’s new eight-unit T-hangar also is nearing completion. In August, staff reported the building had been dried in, hangar doors had been installed, and interior work, septic connections, electrical service, and finishing work were underway. Completion was expected in late September or early October, with the hangars available to tenants shortly afterward.

The authority also is tracking several infrastructure and maintenance issues. Staff reported runway pavement concerns, including a crack that the state is expected to help repair, though the condition was not considered a safety issue. Tree removal in required airport clearance areas and removal of obsolete Duke Energy electrical equipment also are being reviewed.

A larger economic-development issue is sewer service. At the Aug. 26 meeting, Ashley Bolick, then director of Caldwell Economic Development, reported that $1.5 million in Golden LEAF funding had been secured for a proposed sewer extension to the airport, in addition to more than $700,000 previously awarded through the N.C. Department of Commerce. Those grants would reduce the local match needed if an approximately $12 million federal EDA grant is awarded, with a decision expected this fall.

Sewer infrastructure access could strengthen the airport’s role in industrial recruitment. Minutes from August also note a recent mock site visit involving Deloitte consultants for an advanced manufacturing project, with discussion about airport-owned property that could potentially be used for economic development.

— AVN