Chesterfield County Airport lands $4.9M federal grant to extend runway

Overview

Updated Oct 8

Chesterfield County Airport has secured $4.9 million in federal funding to extend runway 15/33 by 800 feet. The Federal Aviation Administration awarded the money in mid-September 2026 as part of a $1.1 billion nationwide airport grant package, covering part of Phase 7 of the airport's expansion.

The longer runway will let the airport handle more aircraft operations. Chesterfield County has already solicited construction bids for the first runway-extension package and is procuring airport engineering services through 2027.

Why it matters

A longer runway means more aircraft can use Chesterfield County Airport, supporting business travel and the Richmond region's economy.

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Key Indicators

$4.9M

Federal grant amount

FAA Airport Improvement Program grant for Phase 7 of runway extension.

800 ft

Runway 15/33 extension length

The runway will be extended by 800 feet to accommodate more aircraft operations.

Phase 7

Expansion phase

The grant funds a portion of Phase 7, which includes grading and drainage construction.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Mark Warner

U.S. Senator (D-VA); advocated for FAA airport funding for Virginia

Active

Tim Kaine

U.S. Senator (D-VA); advocated for FAA airport funding for Virginia

Active

Organizations Involved

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Federal Agency

Grant awarding agency

The Federal Aviation Administration regulates civil aviation in the United States and administers airport infrastructure grants.

Chesterfield County Airport (Richmond Executive Airport)

General aviation airport

Grant recipient

A general aviation airport in Chesterfield County, Virginia, serving the Richmond region.

Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors

Local government

Local oversight

The governing body of Chesterfield County, which oversees the airport.

Virginia Department of Aviation

State agency

State funding partner

The state agency that provides funding for Virginia airports.

Timeline

February 2026 September 2026

4 events Latest: September 16th, 2026 · 2 months ago

Tap a bar to jump to that date

September 2026
FAA awards $4.9M for runway extension
Latest Funding

The Federal Aviation Administration obligated $4.9 million to extend runway 15/33 by 800 feet, funding part of Phase 7.
September 16th, 2026
Airport engineering services proposals due
Procurement

Chesterfield County sought bids under RFP2700030 for airport engineering and aviation planning services, with a contract running from January 1 to December 31, 2027 and three one-year renewal options.
September 10th, 2026
June 2026
Construction bids due for Runway 15-33 extension
Procurement

Chesterfield County accepted bids under IFB26000256 for the first construction package extending Runway 15-33 at the airport. Award results are not public.
June 9th, 2026
February 2026
Chesterfield board approves hangar expansion contract
Local government

The Board of Supervisors approved a $3.3 million contract for the Southeast Ramp Project, funded 90% by the Virginia Department of Aviation.
February 25th, 2026

Scenarios

Runway 15/33 extension completed by 2028

Likely Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Chesterfield County officials and FAA grant records

Phase 7 construction proceeds on schedule, extending runway 15/33 by 800 feet. The airport completes grading and drainage work, and the extended runway becomes operational, accommodating more aircraft operations.

Phase 7 construction delayed

Possible Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Construction industry observers

Weather, supply chain issues, or funding shortfalls delay Phase 7 construction. The runway extension is not completed by the end of 2028, pushing the project into 2029 or later.

Airport announces further expansion funding

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors

The airport secures additional federal or state funding for later phases of the expansion program, including more runway work or facility improvements beyond Phase 7.

County awards Runway 15-33 extension construction contract

Likely Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Chesterfield County procurement records

The county closes the bidding process for the first runway-extension construction package under IFB26000256, and Phase 7 grading and drainage work moves toward a start date.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

November 2021

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021)

Congress passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure law that included billions for airport improvements nationwide. The law directed funding through the FAA's Airport Improvement Program and created new grant categories for airport terminals and infrastructure.

Then

Airports across the country received record federal funding for runways, terminals, and safety improvements.

Now

The law established a multi-year funding stream that continues to support airport expansion projects like the one at Chesterfield County Airport.

Why this matters now

The $4.9 million grant to Chesterfield County Airport flows from the funding stream established by this law, which expanded the FAA's capacity to fund airport infrastructure.

2026

Blue Ridge Regional Airport runway extension (2026)

Blue Ridge Regional Airport in Martinsville, Virginia, received $6.2 million in FAA funding to extend its runway by 998 feet. The extension was designed to allow access to a broader fleet mix of aircraft.

Then

The airport gained the ability to serve larger aircraft, expanding its economic reach.

Now

The project demonstrated the FAA's pattern of funding runway extensions at smaller Virginia airports to boost regional connectivity.

Why this matters now

The Chesterfield County Airport grant follows the same pattern: federal money for a runway extension to accommodate more aircraft operations at a regional airport.