Development of Ferncliff Park as a premier aerospace manufacturing destination moved one step closer with the recent award of $2.5 million to the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL). On Friday, February 20, Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) presented AVL with $2.5 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation / Federal Aviation Administration Grants-in-Aid for Airports program. The funding will support critical taxiway improvements, strengthening airport operations, accommodating anticipated growth, and helping catalyze economic development in surrounding communities.
This milestone represents continued progress in a long-term, collaborative effort between the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, Henderson County Government, and the Asheville Regional Airport to prepare 101 acres at Ferncliff Park for aerospace and advanced manufacturing. Once complete, qualifying aerospace manufacturers will be able to apply for access to the airport taxiway, an opportunity that is rare in North Carolina.
North Carolina is already home to more than 650 aerospace companies and suppliers, and the state has been ranked #3 nationally for aerospace attractiveness, reinforcing its position as a growing hub for the industry.
“The improvements at the Asheville Regional Airport and the focus on economic development projects that support the region will catapult Henderson County into a unique position,” said John Bryant, Board Chair of the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development. “Finding 100 acres adjacent to an airport, within the mountains, will elevate opportunities for select end users.”
Located next to the French Broad River with views of Pisgah National Forest, Ferncliff has been recognized as “The Most Beautiful Industrial Park in America.” The park offers robust public and private infrastructure, direct access to major East Coast transportation corridors, and established covenants and design guidelines that prioritize sustainability and environmental stewardship. Existing tenants include Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and Linamar, with 101 acres remaining available for purchase.
“Ferncliff has been a special project for us in Henderson County,” said Chairman Bill Lapsley, Henderson County Commissioner. “The Fitzpatrick family had a strategic vision for this land, and we are stewards of that vision. Having the opportunity to welcome aerospace manufacturers to Henderson County is truly extraordinary.”
Ferncliff is also designated as a North Carolina Certified Site and a North Carolina Selectsite: statewide recognitions reserved for high-potential industrial properties. Only a small percentage of industrial sites in North Carolina earn these designations.
The Asheville Regional Airport is located adjacent to the site, and approximately 15 miles north of Hendersonville, North Carolina. The airport has experienced rapid growth, serving nearly two million passengers annually and ranking as the third-busiest commercial airport in North Carolina. The airport is currently understating the AVL Forward terminal expansion, a multi-million-dollar project designed to enhance capacity and customer experience.