Craven County airport will spread its wings with expanded northeast air service
Local residents flying out of Coastal Carolina Regional Airport should soon have more flight options available for travel to and from the northeast.
The airport announced last week that it has been awarded a grant that will be used to expand its air service. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Small Community Air Service Development Program grant makes $776,000 available to EWN. Matching contributions from state and local sources bring the total funding available to $1.4 million.
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The airport received community funding commitments from state and local sources, with significant contributions from Craven County and the Craven 100 Alliance.
The funding will be used to recruit additional airline service from a travel hub in the northeast, according to EWN. The expanded air service is expected to benefit multiple sectors of the local economy, including the tourism industry along the coast and North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
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Airport Director Andrew Shorter said the airport will now begin working with potential airline partners to develop new routes to maximize the value of the grant incentives.
“This is yet another powerful example of partners from both the public and private sectors in the region coming together to improve transportation, commerce and quality of life in eastern North Carolina,” said Shorter. “The commitment that EWN received from our community leaders and strategic partners made a significant impact in being chosen as a recipient of the grant this year.”
U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy said the grant would allow New Bern to develop solutions tailored to its individual infrastructure development needs.
"I’m confident that this grant award will expand travel capabilities for our residents along the coast and boost our economy. A great win for eastern North Carolina," said Murphy.
The USDOT received applications from communities in 30 states seeking more than $33 million. EWN was one of only two airports in North Carolina to be awarded a grant and received the largest allocation in the state.
“Air service development is economic development,” said Jeff Wood, Craven County economic development director. “Based on our positive experience with the recent seasonal Washington, D.C. route, EWN can confidently approach airlines with an invitation to include us in their business plans.”
News of the DOT grant comes following the airport's announcement last month that the first step of a runway expansion project will soon be underway as part of its master plan to enhance the airport’s capabilities and capacity.
Funding for the $8 million dollar project was approved as part of the state of North Carolina’s 2022-23 budget.
Reporter Todd Wetherington can be reached by email at wwetherington@gannett.com. Please consider supporting local journalism by signing up for a digital subscription.
This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: Craven County airport will spread its wings with expanded air service
