Includes whereas clauses.

Appropriates $5 million from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce (Department) for 2026-27 to be allocated to the One North Carolina Aviation Capital Project Account, created by the act.

Enacts GS 143B-437.71(d), creating the One North Carolina Aviation Capital Project Account (Account) in the One North Carolina Fund (Fund). Enacts Part 2K, Article 10, GS Chapter 143B to establish the One North Carolina Aviation Capital Project Program (program). Places administrative responsibility with the Department in consultation with the Department of Transportation (DOT), Division of Aviation. Authorizes the Department to provide grants to airports to offset costs incurred for airport projects, as defined by statutory cross-reference, from the Account. Permits airports to receive program grants and allows for airport authorities to receive disbursement for the limited purpose of airport projects. Requires airports to enter into agreements with (1) the State, in the same manner as local government grant agreements under the Fund; and (2) an eligible aerospace business, defined as a business that designs, manufactures, repairs or operates aircraft, in the same manner as company performance agreements under the Fund. Requires company performance compliance prior to disbursement. Directs the Department to develop guidelines related to program administration as specified, including basing grants on projected economic impact. Details procedural requirements for Department guidelines and amendments.

Appropriates $25 million from the General Fund to the Community Colleges System Office (Office) for 2026-27 to be allocated to community colleges to create or expand training for careers in the aerospace workforce, with up to 5% permitted to be used by the Office for described administrative costs.

Establishes the Aerospace Apprenticeship Program (AAP) to provide grants to aerospace employers to incentivize partnerships with local community colleges for apprenticeship opportunities. Requires the Office to make an application available by August 1, 2026, to be completed by prospective employer participants for submission by September 1, 2026. Details prioritization of applicants and minimum qualifications for applications for participation, including that employers provide at least 50% match to the grant award to support the apprenticeship. Appropriates $15 million from the General Fund to the Office for 2026-27 to provide AAP grants, with up to 5% permitted to be used by the Office for described administrative costs.

Appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to the Office for 2026-27. Directs the Office to use up to $5 million to develop a dual enrollment pilot program for high school students to begin aerospace certification coursework and up to $5 million to provide grants to community colleges that partner with high schools to offer career and technical education pathways aligned with aerospace training to cover the cost of establishing the programs. Allows up to 5% of the allocation for each purpose to be used by the Office for described administrative costs.

Appropriates $100 million from the Economic Development Project Reserve to DOT for 2026-27, Aviation Division to support airport infrastructure modernization to incentivize aerospace manufacturing projects, with up to 5% permitted to be used for described administrative costs.

Directs the Department to develop a program to certify sites in the State as aerospace innovation zones, as defined, with infrastructure and embedded university partnerships as certification criteria. 

Appropriates $30 million from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors (BOG) for 2026-27 to provide grants to postsecondary UNC constituent institutions to research aerospace flight, with up to 5% permitted to be used for described administrative costs . Requires prioritizing institutions that conduct research with industry partners or secure  matching research funds from non-State sources.

Appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund for 2026-27 to a nonprofit corporation contracted by the Department to establish a program for helping North Carolina-based aerospace companies with export assistance and FAA certification.

Effective July 1, 2026.