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Department of Transportation, there are 13 general aviation airports in Western North Carolina that are limited by outdated infrastructure, and the research—to be conducted by North Carolina State University—will prepare a roadmap to ensure that those airports are AAM-ready.
Among the infrastructure needs to be assessed are the upgrading of electric utilities and the installation of aircraft charging capabilities.
“This grant is a game-changer for our state and the broader Appalachian region,” said Daniel Findley, associate director of the Institute for Transportation Research and Education at North Carolina State University. “The funding will enable us to conduct crucial research and determine the best strategies to [AAM], ensuring North Carolina airports can meet the demands of the future.”