Rising construction costs have caused some delays in the construction of two new corporate aircraft hangers at the Johnston Regional Airport.
In June 2017, Johnston Regional Airport Director Phil Lanier received approval from Johnston County Commissioners to move forward with construction of the two large corporate hangers. The hangers are needed to expand operations at the Smithfield airport to offer to new clients wanting to relocate from larger airports due to higher costs and congestion. In addition to the hangers the airport also planned to make drainage improvements while the work was underway.
Once bids were opened in October 2017, higher construction costs created a shortfall in funding.
Initially the airport had budgeted $800,000 for the work but after bids were opened the actual cost was between $1.3 and $1.4 million.
Lanier appeared before Johnston County Commissioners at their Feb. 6th meeting and received unanimous support for the Airport Authority to borrow additional funds to pay for the revenue shortfall. Lanier said the airport is also seeking additional funds from the NC DOT, which has already committed $600,000 towards the project.
The initial low bidder for the project disqualified by the NC DOT. The airport will use the second lowest bidder, Calvin Davenport, Inc., for the project once funding is secured.
