ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Airport is about to receive yet another upgrade.
The Board of Commissioners on Tuesday approved the bid proposal from Barnhill Contracting for the east ramp rehabilitation project.
Barnhill, out of Fayetteville, had the low bid of $917,992.50 — coming in $66,907.50 less than the proposal from Raleigh-based Fred Smith Company. Both bids were higher than the engineer’s estimate of $853,830.
Following the vote, during his monthly report, County Manager Bryan Land said 90% of the project is funded through a grant from the N.C. Department of Transportation Division of Aviation. He added that the county’s required 10% match is budgeted.
Land said the project should start within the next 45-60 days.
“This project will complete the last portions of our aging pavement areas at our airport on the ramp and on the taxiways,” Land said.
Earlier this year, the county was awarded a $1.135 million NCDOT aviation grant for the construction of a 55,000-square-foot hangar that will house J&M Aviation, a Vermont-based business that is relocating to the airport.
The company — which specializes in aircraft painting, repair and servicing — is planning to provide nine new jobs with an average salary of $46,800, according to Public Works Director Jerry Austin, who added that J&M has plans to expand operations in the future.
Click here to read about other upgrades made to the airport in recent years.
