App State’s Future

State Support for Capital Improvements at App State

Drone view of App State campus and bell tower and mountains in background.

Appalachian State University has received more than $250 million in state-allocated funding through North Carolina’s last three budget bills — a substantial investment of taxpayer dollars supporting the advancement of capital improvement projects at both the Boone and Hickory campuses.

This strong support reflects the state’s confidence in App State as a leading institution that continues to fulfill its founding mission: to ensure access to higher education for the people of North Carolina, and beyond.

State funding is key to upgrading and expanding App State campus facilities to foster a more modern and efficient learning environment for students and faculty. Major university infrastructure projects supported by these allocations include renovations to the App State Hickory campus, as well as renovations to Peacock, Wey and Edwin Duncan halls and the development of App State’s Innovation District. These projects align with the university’s strategic goals.

Read on for key highlights of state funding support for capital projects at App State.

Capital Repairs and Renovation/Initiative Support

2026 allocations

The 2026 State Appropriations Act — passed by the North Carolina General Assembly on July 2 and signed into law by Gov. Josh Stein on July 7 — delivers more than $56 million in funding support for capital improvement projects that directly enhance App State’s learning and living environments:

  • $25 million toward the development of the Innovation District and to address inflationary costs
  • $14.35 million to continue renovations to the App State Hickory campus
  • $9.9 million in continued funding for Walker Hall renovations
  • $5 million in support of continued improvements to Peacock Hall
  • $2 million to demolish East Hall, to prepare the site for a future STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) building

Access the 2026 state budget bill

2023–2025 allocations

The 2023–2025 budget bill allocates more than $74 million in funding for capital improvements at App State.

  • $41 million for Hickory campus renovations:
    • $4.1 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year;
    • $12.3 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year;
    • $14.35 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year; and
    • $10.25 million in the 2027-28 fiscal year.
  • Additionally, $7.81 million in campus operating and startup funds have been allocated for App State’s Hickory campus, over two years. This funding will support costs associated with building operation and academic instruction.
  • $18 million for Walker Hall interior renovations:
    • $1.8 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year;
    • $6.3 million in the 2025-26 fiscal year; and
    • $9.9 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year.
  • $15 million for renovations to Peacock Hall ($7.5 million per year of the biennium).
  • Additional, non-recurring funds to support inflationary increases for renovations of Wey and Edwin Duncan halls.

Access the 2023–2025 state budget bill

2021–2023 allocations

The 2021–2023 budget bill allocated nearly $123 million in funding for for capital improvements at App State. This breaks down into $79 million for capital projects and $43.15 million for one-time repair and renovation project support.

Capital project support funding included:

  • $54 million in non-recurring funds in the current fiscal year to begin work on App State’s Innovation District project
  • $25 million for renovations to Peacock Hall ($12.5 million per year of the biennium)

One-time repair and renovation project support is included for the following projects:

Access the 2021–2023 state budget bill



App State’s Future