Smith Reynolds Airport Accelerates Upgrade Projects
The airport is fast-tracking $15.6 million in renovations and new aviation infrastructure to meet a June 2027 state deadline.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Smith Reynolds Airport officials are accelerating a $15.6 million infrastructure spending plan to meet a strict June 2027 state grant deadline. The projects include a new $1.3 million electric aircraft recharging station and major roof replacements across 249,000 square feet of facilities.
Why it matters
The airport is rushing to finalize these projects to prevent the forfeiture of state funds after environmental study delays stalled previous maintenance plans. This ensures that facility upgrades, including HVAC and roofing, move forward using state-appropriated money rather than relying solely on local budget shifts.
The airport has $15.6 million in grant funds to deploy, supported by $3.1 million in interest and $5 million in redirected local funds. Planned work includes a $1.3 million recharging station, with an initial $186,000 phase already underway.
The players
Smith Reynolds Airport
A public use airport in Forsyth County that is currently serving as one of six pilot sites for the state electric aviation program.
The details
To meet the mid-2027 deadline, officials redirected local capital to prioritize shovel-ready renovations over stalled projects like the maintenance hangar. The recharging station is part of a state-wide pilot program, positioning the local facility as one of six key sites for electric aviation. Meanwhile, the roof replacement work covers 249,000 square feet to preserve aging infrastructure while grant eligibility remains active.
Timeline
2022: State appropriated the first $11.5 million grant.
2023: State appropriated the second $11.5 million grant.
August 2026: Airport officials learned of the mandatory grant spending deadline.
June 2027: Final deadline to spend the remaining $15.6 million in grant funds.
The Home Front
This project accelerates necessary facility maintenance at a regional hub, reflecting a trend of local airports leveraging state infrastructure grants to offset rising renovation costs. The shift aligns with broader efforts to integrate electric-aviation infrastructure into existing regional transport networks.
Residents living near Smith Reynolds Airport should anticipate increased construction activity on-site as crews work to meet the 2027 deadline. Property owners with questions about the scope of airport improvements may contact airport administration to track the status of these ongoing renovations.
The takeaway
The airport must complete $15.6 million in projects by June 2027 or risk losing essential state grant funding. Local stakeholders should monitor the progress of these improvements, particularly the new recharging station and extensive roofing work, as the airport manages this accelerated timeline.
Further reading
For more on how local transport hubs are evolving, visit the Electric Vehicles section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Charlotte Observer.
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