Foothills Airport's move to allow private development could pay off

At the June 25 meeting of the Foothills Regional Airport Authority, local aviators and owners of popular Lake James Marina, Tim Newton and Todd Bennick, laid out their plan to build two 12,000-square-foot private hangars at the airport.

Newton and Bennick’s proposal is the second offer in recent months from private investors looking to build on the southwest side of the airfield.

The two pilots, who each own multiple aircraft based at Foothills, say the project isn’t just about a place to store their planes — it’s about unlocking long-term potential.

“As far as attracting people to our area, this airport has done a great job,” said Bennick. “But it needs to get to the next level, and we’d love to see more growth. More hangars mean more people, and more tax revenue. There’s an opportunity here that’s really great if we’re willing to go after it.”

Newton echoed that vision and pointed to a major service gap that he believes could be turned into a local strength.

“There’s no reason this airport couldn’t have a professional maintenance setup that really serves people,” Newton said. “Right now, I have to fly my SR22 to Greenville just for an oil change, and my jet goes all the way to Atlanta for service. That’s fuel, time, and money leaving this airport.”

A proposal heard by the Authority Board last month from developers Cole Gaither and Paul Shell included a maintenance hub as a primary part of their plan, emphasizing how lucrative a hub would be for this region.

While Hangers are the focus of Bennick and Newtons proposal, both men shared interest in working with the airport to explore additional services over time.

“We’re not just thinking about our own planes,” Newton said. “If we could work out lease terms that make sense and help the airport support that kind of service, I think it would be a win for everybody — more growth, more fuel sales, more tax revenue.”

Their pitch arrives at a moment of growing momentum at Foothills. The airport is in the midst of a major infrastructure push with site preparation for a new T-hangar and a taxiway extension expected to go out for bid in July. Jet fuel sales are up, and cash reserves are growing.

“For this type of investment, we’re looking at a possible 30-year lease,” Airport Manager Brent Brinkley said, noting that the current rate under consideration, 28 cents per square foot per year, is in line with similar regional airports like Statesville, Shelby, and North Wilkesboro. While construction could start before the taxiway is finished, we’d need close coordination to avoid conflicts with other projects.”

Financially, the airport is trending upward. Jet A fuel sales, used primarily by business jets, are up 37% year-to-date, a major driver of the airport’s revenue. In May, the airport added $39,000 in cash to its accounts, with more than $6.3 million now sitting in its state appropriation fund.

The board approved a $357,000 budget amendment to reflect increased revenues and expected grant expenses, and passed its FY2025-26 budget with estimated revenues just over $1 million. Operating expenses rose slightly due to labor, insurance, and repair costs, but were offset by the higher fuel sales.

Assistant Airport Manager Derek Brown noted that hangar occupancy remains high, averaging around 87%. The airport is regularly near capacity when factoring in transient traffic.

Increased traffic and interest from developers could bolster the airport’s position as an economic driver.

“Foothills Regional Airport is a prime location for industrial development — opportunities that bring good-paying jobs, support our local economy, and position our region for long-term growth,” said Ashley Bolick, economic development director for Caldwell County.

She emphasized that large tracts of land near the airport were something rare west of I-77, making it an attractive site for manufacturing and aviation-related investment. While the area still faces infrastructure hurdles like limited sewer access, Bolick said that’s exactly where strategic planning begins.

“Our long-term vision is a thriving, sustainable airport that serves not just Burke and Caldwell counties, but all of Western North Carolina,” she said.

The airport’s value goes beyond the economy, she added. During Hurricane Helene and recent wildfires, the site served as a base for first responders and relief crews.

“It’s a resilient asset, and now more people are starting to see that,” Bolick said.

If all goes smoothly, Newton and Bennick could break ground on their hangars by summer 2026 or earlier. The taxiway extension, which will open access to future hangar sites, could begin construction as early as this fall.

“I’ve been sitting here for six years as we’ve been talking about developing this property,” said Morganton Councilman Butch McSwain. “It’s exciting to finally have people approaching us with real proposals. The fact that we’ve got multiple groups interested and vying to build, that’s exciting — and something many of us hope works out for everyone.”