How the Concord-Padgett Regional Airport Bolsters the Charlotte Area’s Industrial Sphere

The Concord-Padgett Regional Airport located in Concord, NC is a major player in the success of the area for industrial businesses, from large corporations to local startups. In addition to bolstering the economy through job creation and technology innovation, the airport supports businesses by providing reliable transportation for both goods and passengers. Located right off I-85, this unmatched Charlotte-area resource makes Concord an irresistible location for industrial businesses looking for Concord properties for lease or sale.

How JQF Fuels Concord’s Industrial Economy

Photo Credit: “Concord Regional Airport” by James Willamor, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

JQF—the Concord-Padgett Regional Airport—is a major driver of Concord’s industrial economy. This local airport supports over 4000 jobs, and, as of 2023, “contributes over $900 million to the local economy“. For a small airport, JFQ certainly packs a big punch.

The airport is located just 15 minutes north east of central Charlotte in Cabarrus County. It offers nonstop flights to a handful of locations via Avelo Airlines and Allegiant Air. These include:

• New Haven, CT
• Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Saint Petersburg, FL
• Orlando, FL
• Manchester, NC
• Rochester, NY
• Punta Gorda, FL
• Islip, NY

Just recently in 2025, Avelo Airlines added three new locations flying out of Concord:

• Detroit, MI
• Washington, D.C.
• Long Island, NY

JFQ provides passenger services, flight schools, and commercial services, and is especially well known for hosting NASCAR team planes.

Its location just minutes from the Queen City, I-85, the Charlotte Motor Speedway, and the North Carolina Research Campus makes it a highly-valued resource for North Carolina business travelers and local industrial markets.

In addition to being a major economic engine in Concord’s local economy, JQFs innovation partnerships with companies like Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace highlight Concord’s commitment to continual excellence and forward movement in a high-performance neighborhood. This partnership was created with the goal of testing remote tower technology, and improving future opportunities for air traffic management.

The Impact of the Concord-Padgett Regional Airport on Local Industrial Businesses

The airport is located in the Concord Regional Airport Business Park—a 1,400-acre park with air, rail, and highway access. This area is tailored for manufacturing, aerospace, and logistics firms. In addition to the area’s flight schools (Alpha One Air Service, FlyCarolina, and FlyRight), the airport is surrounded by many of the area’s well-known industrial and manufacturing businesses including:

• RFK Racing
• RFK Museum & Gift Shop
• Gateway Classic Cars of Charlotte
• Amazon Sort Center CLT5
• ETS Express Inc.
• NASCAR R&D Center
• Ford Performance Technical Center
• And more

Proximity to the airport gives businesses access to rapid movement of goods for enhanced supply chain efficiency. For industrial businesses, this leads to reduced shipping times and lower costs. The airport’s secure ramp area, control tower, and 24/7 access makes it one of North Carolina’s elite locations for quick transport without the hassle of a bigger and busier operation such as the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

JFQ’s corporate aviation services are a major part of the area’s racing industry success. For NASCAR’s air fleet and other Concord businesses, JFQ provides essential services, allowing teams streamlined travel on their charter jets.

In addition to supporting racing and manufacturing industries, the Concord-Padgett Regional Airport is continually increasing connectivity for businesses and employees as one of North Carolina’s commercial service airports. JFQ offers domestic flight opportunities to more than 10 major cities around the country, with new locations added recently in 2025.

The airport is a key factor in the area’s economic growth, making it easy for businesses who need cost-effective and timely air travel and logistics solutions.

What Are the Most Popular Industries Near Concord, NC?

Concord, NC effortlessly blends industry with historic charm and a welcoming community. Its convenient location near I-85 and the presence of the airport have made it a sought-after city for industrial manufacturing and institutional investment from both NC and out-of-state companies. Smaller local businesses have also flocked to Concord for its prime location and available land.

In addition to the industrial and manufacturing realm, Concord is a magnetic locale for residents and out-of-town visitors looking to enjoy a NASCAR race, visit the Great Wolf Lodge waterpark, or shop at the Concord Mills Mall.

Some of the most popular industries in and around Concord include:

• Advanced Manufacturing. Especially automotive, aerospace, and high-tech production. Owens Corning (fiberglass production), Legrand (electronic parts supplier), and DNP Imagingcomm America Corporation (printing) are some of the most popular manufacturing businesses in the area.
• Logistics and Distribution. Supported by the airport’s connectivity and proximity to major highways, Concord is ideal for logistics and distribution companies, including Amazon, FedEx, and Cardinal Logistics (trucking).
• Aviation and Aerospace. In addition to the airport, Concord is home to multiple airport businesses, including flight schools, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, and professional aircraft cleaning services.
• Automotive and Motorsports. Charlotte Motor Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports, and Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) are all located in the Concord community.
• Food and Beverage. Concord is home to smaller food and beverage companies as well as large investments including Red Bull, Ball, and Gordon Food Service.
• Healthcare and Life Sciences. These growing sectors are supported by strong local infrastructure and a thriving workforce. Concord is home to Atrium Health, Hydromer Inc. (biotechnology), and more.

5 Reasons to Choose Concord for Your Industrial Business

If you’re looking for a location with strong transportation opportunities, booming economic growth, and a robust labor pool, Concord just might be the place to settle down. Here are 5 key reasons to consider Concord for your industrial business.

1. Prime Transportation Access

Bolstered by JFQ, I-85, and I-485, Concord offers unmatched logistics advantages for companies carrying freight and transporting product all over the country. And in addition to a selection of buildings for sale and lease, Concord also offers available space for new builds.

2. Strong Economic Growth

Recently, Concord was labeled North Carolina’s 10th largest city and ranked #6 for the city with the fastest growth. Concord boasts a skilled workforce, a low unemployment rate, and an ever-expanding economy, making it an ideal location for healthy business growth.

3. Business-Friendly Environment

In addition to affordable real estate of all types, Concord boasts low taxes and attractive business incentives for job creation and investment. Concord’s grant opportunities include the City of Concord Economic Development Grant and the Center City Development Grant.

Learn more about Cabarrus County grants and incentives.

4. Business and Industrial Parks

Concord is home to multiple business and industrial parks that provide prime real estate locations for manufacturing and warehousing companies. These parks offer affordable rates and the opportunity to connect and collaborate with nearby businesses. Concord’s industrial parks include the International Business Park, Springs Business Park, and Oakmont Business Park, among others.

5. Quality of Life

Concord offers excellent schools, gorgeous parks, mouth-watering dining opportunities, and historical charm, making it a great place to live and work. Concord’s welcoming environment and close proximity to Charlotte help businesses to attract and retain talent.

Find Your Next Property With Regent CRE

For both large corporations and small business startups, Concord offers unmatched benefits among the metro Charlotte neighborhoods. If you’re ready to start the search for Concord commercial real estate, Regent CRE is here to help. From warehouse and industrial properties to flex and retail, Concord is bursting with opportunities for businesses who need streamlined transportation options and a healthy, thriving economy. Concord also offers numerous opportunities for increasingly popular industrial outdoor storage (IOS) space due to its available land and highway proximity.

At Regent Commercial Real Estate, we specialize in pairing businesses with the ideal space in the right Charlotte neighborhood. With over 10 years of experience in the metro area, we understand that finding the right property is so much more than just choosing a building. It takes careful market analysis, comprehensive search database tools, local connections to properties on and off the market, and a genuine interest in each client’s needs.

Ready to start your search? We’re here to help. Find out more about commercial real estate in Concord or contact us today.