Jones secured language in the House version of the Fiscal Year 2000 Defense Authorization Act for the transfer of 20 acres of land to extend the New Bern Campus of Craven Community College to serve as grounds for the Institute for Aeronautical Technology Institute (Institute).

“I am very excited that this project is on track and we are moving forward,” Jones said.  “The Institute will provide an outstanding learning facility by joining Craven Community College and Cherry Point.  Together, they will work to benefit the college community and help promote the defense and aviation that are so important to the State of North Carolina.”
 
“This is an opportunity to give the county a leading edge in aircraft technology.  The Institute would not only create a center for advanced technology in aviation maintenance, but it would also serve NADEP by providing top-notch aeronautical training to the area’s workforce,” Jones said. 

The commitment for the land transfer from the Secretary of the Navy to the State of North Carolina will ensure that funds previously appropriated at the state level can be used for the development of the Institute.  

Jones said that as the House and Senate proceed to iron out the differences in their two defense authorization bills, he will fight to ensure the House language providing for the land transfer remains intact in the final version.