Nevada County Airport provides safe and efficient aviation facilities for Nevada County residents, businesses, and visitors. Also, Nevada County Airport is home to the California Division of Forestry (CDF) Grass Valley Air Attack Base. This center of wild land fire fighting from the air is the permanent location for two air tankers that drop fire retardant and an air attack lead plane that coordinates the efforts of the tankers. During fire season, aircraft are on standby, ready at a moment's notice, to respond to fires throughout the foothills and mountains.

Search and Rescue, Medi-Vac, and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies also use the airport year round.

Two private businesses, Alpine Aviation and Sierra Mountain Aviation are on site that provide flight training, maintenance and air charter services.

Operating as an Enterprise Fund, the Nevada County Airport's mission is to deliver safe and efficient aviation facilities for Nevada County residents, businesses, visitors, the Grass Valley Air Attack Base, and other emergency service providers, through a commitment to quality services, professional competence and fiscal responsibility.