TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Kelly Strickland, Assistant City Manager
FROM: Andrew LaGala, A.A.E., Airport Director
DATE: August 11, 2025
RE:
Title
Acceptance of Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy Grant Offer
end
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal IV - Desirable Place to Live, Work and Recreate
4.1 - To maintain public transportation investments with high quality transit and airport services.
Executive Summary:
City Council is asked to accept the 2025 Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy Grant from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Aviation (NCDOT) and to authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement. The grant will provide reimbursement of up to $5,000 for supplies and vendor costs. There is no local match requirement.
Background:
• The Fayetteville Regional Airport ACE Academy was established in support of tomorrow’s aerospace workforce.
• The NCDOT ACE Academy Grant Program provides grants of up to $5,000 per academy to public airports that host aerospace and aviation career-focused summer academies for middle and high school students.
• The academy will cover the following topics;
o Aviation/aerospace history, including N.C.’s legacy as “first in flight”
o Principles of flight
o Career discovery and planning
o Post-secondary aviation education programs
o Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS, or drones)
• Any costs associated with the program that exceed the $5,000 state reimbursement will be covered through sponsorships or through the Airport’s Operating Budget.
Issues/Analysis:
None
Budget Impact:
There is no impact to the General Fund.
Options:
1. Accept the ACE Academy Grant Offer from NCDOT to the Fayetteville Regional Airport and authorize the City Manager to execute the grant.
2. Do not accept the ACE Academy Grant Offer from NCDOT to the Fayetteville Regional Airport or authorize the City Manager to execute the grant.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends that Council move to accept the ACE Academy Grant Offer from NCDOT for the Fayetteville Regional Airport and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement.
Attachments:
Grant Agreement