[4] In 1960 community leaders in Rockingham County, North Carolina considered establishing an airport to attract industry and support economic development.

[5] From its opening, the airport was managed by contracted operators whose profits were derived from the sale of aviation fuel.

A new contractor was found, but struggled to turn a profit since few corporate jets used the facilities, leaving fuel sales low.

That year, the airport authority, responding to the complaints about poor service, attempted to sever its contract with the operator at the time, Aerosports of North Carolina Inc. A legal battle ensued, resulting in the contractor leaving but also draining the airport of most of its money.

[7] For the 12-month period ending July 30, 2008, the airport had 24,100 aircraft operations, an average of 66 per day: 99.6% general aviation and 0.4% military.