Andrews – Western Carolina Regional Airport will receive $159,000 in funding each of the next five years as part of a historic bipartisan infrastructure package passed by the federal government.
This funding is designed to provide upgrades such as taxiway and runway expansions, terminal renovations and improved noise prevention.
“As far as any firm plans on how to use those funds, none have been made at this point,” Cherokee County Manager Randy Wiggins said.
President Joe Biden signed the $1.2 billion bipartisan infrastructure bill into law in November. Under the legislation, a total of 71 airports across North Carolina will receive more than $458 million over the next five years. Charlotte Douglas International Airport tops the list with an annual allocation of $43.2 million.
Western Carolina Regional celebrated its 75th anniversary in October and has been a growing asset in Cherokee County for those 7½ decades.
Life Force 6, part of Erlanger Health Systems’ air ambulance fleet, opened a base at Western Carolina Regional in 2017. Life Force 6 transports patients within a 150-mile radius of the base in Andrews using an Airbus Helicopter H135. In addition, the county-owned airport provides travel for business leaders in the area as well as clients of Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Hotel & Casino in Murphy.
“I was proud to work in the bipartisan group to create and pass the infrastructure package, which is fully funded and will bring billions of dollars for targeted infrastructure needs to North Carolina,” U.S. Sen. Tom Tillis (R-N.C.) said in a release. “North Carolina airports will receive more than $458 million over the next five years and these investments will go a long way in improving major and regional airports across our state.
“This airport funding will continue to drive economic development throughout our rural and urban communities, and I look forward to seeing these investments deployed to improve our critical infrastructure assets in the state.”
The public-use airport also offers professional pilot training for a wide range of students, including those preparing for a commercial airline career or individuals who simply want a private pilot license. The airport also provides 20-minute scenic flights for visitors and locals interested in seeing the Appalachian Mountains, rivers and lakes from above.
Western Carolina Regional Airport is located 2 nautical miles west of the central business district of Andrews, covering 206 acres of land at an elevation of 1,697 feet above sea level.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed thanks to President Biden and the North Carolina Democratic congressional delegation,” N.C. Democratic Party spokesperson Ellie Dougherty said in a release. “North Carolina will receive more than $458 million over the next five years to improve and expand airports across the Tar Heel state. This funding will bring more tourism, business and jobs to our state while making travel safer for North Carolinians.”