Raleigh, N.C. – Sen. Tom McInnis (R-Moore) today amended House Bill 694 to give the “Legacy” designation to two local airports: Moore and Laurinburg-Maxton.
The legacy designation may help the local airports access federal funds should Congress pass an infrastructure bill later this year.
Sen. McInnis’s amendment , which passed unanimously, directs the N.C. Department of Transportation to classify as a “legacy airport” any airport that:· (i) is owned and operated by a county or airport authority,· (ii) was established as an airport or military facility before 1945,· (iii) contains a terminal building or runway that was built before 1945,· (iv) has an actively used runway that is at least 6,500 feet long, and· (v) has contributed significantly to the development of aviation in this State.
Sen. McInnis said, “This ‘legacy’ designation for Moore and Laurinburg-Maxton is helpful to our community. These airports will benefit from the branding and marketing opportunities that accompany the designation, and may be eligible for special federal funding in the future.”
On November 11, 1931, Amelia Earhart flew into Moore County Airport on an autogiro, an airplane-helicopter hybrid.
Laurinburg-Maxton Army Air Base was a vital installation during World War II from 1942-1945 for training and equipping glider units to operate with paratroop, infantry, artillery, engineer and medical units. High-ranking Army officials, including Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower and George Marshall, visited often to observe parachute and glider training. At its peak 10,000 soldiers were stationed here.
