Roswell Airport Director Bobby Thompson reported to the City Council that the Federal Aviation Administration has approved a five‑year capital improvement program (CIP) totaling about $44,424,000, with a local match of roughly $2,989,000.

Thompson said the CIP includes 18 projects, most pavement‑related, and stressed that FAA approval does not guarantee full funding but is a necessary step. He also listed near‑term projects and operational items: runway brake testing activity by Boeing on a 737 Max, continued airfield and security upgrades, replacement of aging electrical vault equipment, completion of taxiway projects and apron rehabilitation pending grant funding, and arrival of a new airport fire truck.

Nut graf: Airport staff said the recent National Championship Air Races put pressure on airport facilities and revealed specific shortfalls — especially holding‑room capacity and temporary infrastructure — that staff and the races’ organizers are working to address quickly while pursuing longer‑term terminal and airfield projects.

Bobby Thompson told the council that heavy rain earlier in the year damaged airport fencing after a pickup truck struck the barrier and left a new vehicle lodged in the security fence; the breach was repaired within 48 hours but required increased security measures during the repair. He also reported work on the Southeast waterline, a BLM loading pit and taxiway work to improve tanker operations for firefighting.

Brad Telly, chairman and CEO of the National Championship Air Races, told the council organizers estimated total attendance (day‑by‑day counts) of "somewhere between 55,000" and 60,000 and said pilots and volunteers praised the venue and safety planning. Telly said the races used the event to launch an airframe and powerplant scholarship program that will award $10,000 scholarships to five AMP students; the money will be administered by Eastern New Mexico University (the presenter called it "the university"). He said organizers plan to expand classes and course distances in future years.

Councilors and staff discussed how airport planning and construction timelines intersect with air service development. Thompson and airport staff recommended further work on a temporary hold area (to increase capacity beyond the current 90‑person screened area) and exploring terminal improvements in parallel with FAA grant work.

Ending: Staff said work will continue on the FAA CIP items, taxiway and apron projects, security access control upgrades and the grandstand location approved for the races; staff will return with progress updates and grant timelines.