Business View Magazine | December 2020

257 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2020 Affiliated offices Wilmington, NC Charlotte, NC Richmond, VA Columbia, SC TALBERT & BRIGHT 910.763.5350 / tbi@tbiilm.com E NGINEERING & P LANNING C ONSULTANTS LUMBERTON MUNI C I PAL A I RPORT the war broke out and the War Department leased the land and completed construction. In 1952, the property was turned back over to the city and saw a short stint of commercial aviation – being a halfway point between New York and Miami. This lasted until 1955 and since then it has served as a GA facility with around 40 aircraft. It also serves as the business aircraft hub of the area. The first FBO was built to service the commercial piston aircraft but the dawn of the jet age diverted traffic. These days, a new terminal building is the pride and joy of Lumberton Municipal. According to Airport Manager, Bob Snuck, “It is an incredible building with a lot of unique features. For example, we have a carpet runner that is exactly the same as the layout of the runway, at 5 feet wide and 40 foot long. And we have aviation- themed metal chairs with leather seating and tables that look like aircraft wings. This terminal was badly needed. It gives us over 5,000 square feet of terminal space, while also having an upstairs that is 5,000 feet and unfinished.” The plan is to attract aviation industry tenants for the upstairs, or perhaps even a retail company. There is currently some interest in renting the space, in the meantime, the airport is also renting conference space, and has recently been used by Smithfield Farms. Although income was substantially down this year because of reduced fuel sales owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Airport recently experienced a turnaround. Air traffic in October 2020 was double that of October 2019; much of that being corporate jets. Indeed, it would seem the new terminal is making an impact. There are many possibilities for the future. Property outside the airport’s current perimeter can be developed into buildable space for any aviation or non-aviation related businesses that may want to locate there. It has all been zoned as the Airport Industrial Park. It is also possible to expand the airport out and there is a willingness to work with any company