Airports
North Carolina Receives Airport AAM Readiness Grant
The funds are intended to assess and outline infrastructure needs at GA airports
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The ARISE grant will help prepare general aviation airports in North Carolina for the eventual operation of advanced air mobility aircraft. © Joby

North Carolina has received a $500,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE) to research aviation improvements in the western part of the state. It was one of three states to receive the grant, funded in part by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The ARISE funds will pay for research to identify necessary upgrades at general aviation airports in Appalachian counties, preparing them for emerging advanced air mobility (AAM) and sustainable electric aviation. According to the state Department of Transportation, there are 13 general aviation airports in Western North Carolina that are limited by outdated infrastructure, and the research—to be conducted by North Carolina State University—will prepare a roadmap to ensure that those airports are AAM-ready.