History of the
Breaks Regional Airport
1963
Grundy Municipal Airport Constructed
The Breaks Regional Airport, presently under construction in Buchanan County, is located atop an excavated mountain peak on the site formerly known as the Grundy Municipal Airport. The original Grundy Municipal Airport was constructed in 1963 with a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) at a total cost of $358,000. The Town of Grundy oversaw the project, which included a 2,300 ft- by- 50 runway. The airport was operated by the Town without significant improvements until closure in 2019 to allow for the construction of a replacement airport. 
Grundy Municipal Airport
2003
Virginia Department of Aviation Grant
In 2003 the Town of Grundy received a grant from the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) to identify a location for a new replacement airport. One of the primary factors driving the need for replacement was the limited, geographically constrained nature of the existing airport site, which prevented meaningful expansion. Even if expansion had been possible, the associated costs would have been prohibitively high.
2006
A New Proposal
In the spring of 2006, Alpha Natural Resources Coal Company approached the Town of Grundy with a proposal to mine the coal beneath the existing airport and, in the process, create a prepared site for a replacement general aviation airport. Although this was not the first such proposal from a coal company, it was the first in recent years. As a result, representatives of the Virginia Department of Aviation, Federal Aviation Administration, and the Town of Grundy met in Richmond to discuss the proposal’s merits. Following presentations from of Alpha Natural Resources Coal Company and Talbert and Bright, Inc, it was decided that the existing DOAV grant would be revised from Site Selection Study to the development of an Airport Layout Plan for a new airport on the mined site. 
2009
Breaks Regional Airport Authority Established
In 2008 officials of the Town of Grundy, Buchanan County, and Dickenson County agreed to establish a Regional Airport Authority. On March 30, 2009, the Virginia General Assembly approved the creation of the Breaks Regional Airport Authority to establishing and operate airport facilities for the participating political subdivisions. Upon formation of the Authority, the Town of Grundy conveyed the Grundy Municipal Airport property consisting of 80 acres and all mineral rights--to the Authority. 
2012
Brief Setback
The Authority continued discussions with Alpha Natural Resources regarding permitting the mining of the airport property as a “Mountain Top Removal Project,” with the post-mining land use designated as a regional airport. A proposed contract was negotiated, contingent upon approval of state and federal mining permits. However, Alpha's application faced strong opposition from several environmental groups, delaying the process. Alpha ultimately withdrew from the negotiations. In 2012 the Authority changed the approach and issued a request for proposal (RFP) for airport construction. Three companies responded, and one was selected for negotiations. Unfortunately, the negotiations stalled when the company requested financing far beyond what the Authority could reasonably provide, even after accounting for anticipated coal revenue from the mining and construction process.
2017
A New Contract
Despite these setbacks, the Authority remained optimistic and continued exploring new opportunities to develop the airport. In 2017, the Authority received an unsolicited proposal from Wellmore Coal Company, a division of United Company, seeking approval to pursue a mining permit for the site. Wellmore officials expressed confidence in their ability to secure the necessary permits. In 2018, negotiations began, and Wellmore successfully obtained a Mountain Top Mining permit. The Authority subsequently signed a contract approving a surface mining lease and the purchase of an additional 240 acres of property. A separate agreement was also executed for the rough grading and initial runway construction, subject to the approval of the Virginia Department of Aviation and the Federal Aviation Authority.
2019
Mining & Construction Begin
In 2019, officials from the Breaks Reginal Airport Authority, Virginia Department of Aviation, and Talbert and Bright met with Federal Aviation Officials in Washington to present plans for a new airport.
The plans included:
- Closing the Grundy Municipal Airport
- Purchasing an additional 240 acres of property
- Conducting mining operation, allocating coal sales revenue toward the construction and operation of a new airport
- Seeking FAA recognition of the Breaks Regional Airport for future funding
The FAA agreed to maintain a “place-holder status” for funding, contingent upon the approval of a Justification Analysis. The mining and construction began.
2023
Justification Analysis Approved
In August 2023, the Virginia Department of Aviation approved funding for the Justification Analysis. The FAA approved the Justification Analysis and officially included the airport in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). In 2024 the Virginia Department of Aviation also approved the Authority's application to develop a new Master Plan. 
2025
Mining & Rough Grade Construction Completed
Mining and rough-grade construction were completed in the first quarter of 2025. Upon approval of the Master Plan, the Authority will begin full-scale construction of the Breaks Regional Airport. 
Rough Grade