RALEIGH, NC The North Carolina Department of Transportation is distributing $35.4 million in state funding for aviation improvement projects at 11 airports across the state, following their approval by the Board of Transportation.

In addition to enhancing airport safety, these upgrades will support and help generate more economic activity and tourism, the department said.

"Airports are a critical part of North Carolina's transportation system," said NCDOT Division of Aviation Director Bobby Walston. "Completing these projects will increase the safety of these facilities while also maintaining the link these airports provide our state to the national and global economies."

The NCDOT is one of a number of state DOTs that help fund airport projects as part of their broader transportation system support.

The announcement said data from 2016 showed that aviation contributes over $31 billion in annual economic impact to the North Carolina economy, including 123,400 airport-related jobs.

The two largest awards, of $8 million each, will pay for runway and taxiway repaving at the Kinston Regional Airport and taxiway construction at the Statesville Airport.

Others got to repave or widen runways or taxiways, and make lighting improvements at eight facilities where the state funds will completely cover project costs.

In addition, a $1.4 million state award will help the Albert J. Ellis Airport in Jacksonville replace lighting, signage and an electrical vault, with the work funded 90 percent by the state and 10 percent locally.