Smith Reynolds Airport receives $4.45 million CARES Act grant

Smith Reynold Airport has been awarded a $4.45 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to help preserve and create hundreds of jobs and offset additional economic adversity caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The grant was awarded by the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). This grant will be matched with $1.6 million in local county investment. It’s expected to create 200 jobs, retain 100 jobs, and generate $2.5 million in private investment. The grant will be used to repair a facility used by North State Aviation, an aircraft Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) service provider.

"This grant will go a long way to ensure the infrastructure at the Airport can continue to support and create jobs,” said Smith Reynolds Airport Director Mark Davidson. “The funds will go directly to a facility that is over 50 years old and is home to hundreds of valuable and highly trained employees in the MRO industry,"

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the EDA-funded Piedmont Triad Regional Council, which brings together the public and private sectors to strengthen the regional economy. The county’s Community and Economic Development Department was instrumental in applying for the grant.

“The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners have identified Smith Reynolds Airport as a key economic asset and the Community & Economic Development team is excited to continue to leverage funding to support it,” said Community and Economic Development Director Kyle Haney. "In applying for this grant, we worked closely with staff from Smith Reynolds, County General Services, Piedmont Triad Regional Council, and the US Economic Development Administration. We look forward to continuing these partnerships and seeking additional opportunities to assist Smith Reynolds and surrounding businesses."

County Commissioner Dave Plyler praised the grant, saying the commissioners and the Airport Board are always looking for ways to enhance the airport’s growth.

“This will really help, especially when you add jobs to the area,” said Plyler. “This will make a big difference.”

This project is funded under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.