Page 17 - Wilkes County NCG Flipbook

units, provides training and operates volunteer
services, along with other divisions.
Samaritan’s Purse staff remain ready to
respond to disaster at a moment’s notice
with a fleet of disaster response vehicles.
These tractor-trailers are stocked with heavy-
duty tarps, generators, chainsaws and other
tools to aid in cleanup efforts. Each Disaster
Relief Unit also contains a small, built-in
office space to serve as a local command
center for Samaritan’s Purse recovery efforts.

infrastructure sPotliGht:
wilkes county airPort
Wilkes County Airport was awarded a
$1.5 million Economic Development Grant
from the N.C. Division of Aviation for the
construction of a new taxiway. This will
allow access to a fourth Samaritan’s Purse
hangar, adding 22,000-square-feet under
roof while also providing access to future
T-hangars. Additionally, the 2020-2029 N.C.
State Transportation Improvement Program
has committed funding for a runway
extension that will expand the current 6,200
feet to 7,000 feet to allow for larger aircraft.
Right-of-way acquisitions for the expansion
will begin in 2022 and construction will
follow in 2024.

wilkeschamber.com 13