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D.C. (NewsDakota.com) – U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a member of the Congressional General Aviation Caucus, today announced more than $17 million in federal funding for five airports across North Dakota.
Heitkamp has repeatedly pressed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to make needed investments to North Dakota’s airport infrastructure. Last month, Heitkamp brought FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to North Dakota to get a firsthand look at North Dakota’s incredible unmanned aerial potential as well as aviation challenges facing the western part of the state.
The funding, made available through grants, will support improvements to Minot International Airport, Grand Forks International Airport, Devils Lake Regional Airport, Jamestown Regional Airport, and help with the construction of a new airport in Bowman, ND.
“North Dakota’s aviation industry is growing by the day, and I’m confident we’ll continue to be leaders for years to come,” said Heitkamp. “Across the state, and particularly in energy-impacted regions, it’s important that we continue to make critical investments in our infrastructure so increased demand can be met and pilots and air passengers remain safe. Last month, the FAA Administrator saw many of North Dakota’s needs firsthand, and I’ll continue to work closely with the FAA to push for needed investments in our airports. Air transportation has become a major economic success story for North Dakota and I’m pushing for it to remain that way.”
The grants are distributed as follows:
• Minot International Airport – $8,967,973. The funds will be used to construct a new taxiway, eliminating the need to back-taxi on the runway.
• Grand Forks International Airport – $4,146,407. The funds will be used to help reconstruct a taxiway to meet FAA design standards.
• Bowman County Airport Authority – $2,150,000. The funds will be used to construct a new airport and meet increased air travel demands due to energy development in western North Dakota. Funds will also help provide essential medical access, meet FAA design standards, install utilities and wildlife airport perimeter fencing, and construct a snow removal equipment storage building.
• Devils Lake Regional Airport – $1,212,729. The funds will be used to acquire a new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicle to help the airport meet existing safety requirements.
• Jamestown Regional Airport – $806,937. The funds will be used to acquire a new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicle to help the airport meet existing safety requirements.
In April, Heitkamp and Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) brought FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to North Dakota to see the aviation challenges facing the western part of the state. Heitkamp also played a key role in securing more than $17.5 million in grants through the federally-funded Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to North Dakota airports, including $6.5 million to construct a new terminal at Minot International Airport. These infrastructure improvements will help allow North Dakota’s airports to keep up with the growing economy, population, and demand for air travel.