Dalrymple, Officials Dedicate New Minot Airport Terminal

5.9.16

BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Jack Dalrymple today joined federal, state and local officials in celebrating the completion of the new $40 million terminal at the Minot International Airport, an enhancement that will help address the region’s rapid economic growth and increased airline boardings and activity at Minot’s airport.

The new terminal is part of a larger capital improvement project that will cost $70 million and include access roads, a parking lot, taxiways, an apron for parking aircraft and snow removal equipment. The state provided nearly $24 million for the project, including $23.7 million in Energy Impact Grant funds allocated specifically for airport authorities in the state’s oil and gas producing counties. The airport also received $220,000 from the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission.

“This new terminal and the other capital improvement projects completed at the Minot International Airport are important and necessary enhancements that will help the community and region address rapid economic growth and large increases in airline activity,” Dalrymple said. “I applaud the federal, state and local partners who worked together to fund and construct this impressive facility, which marks a significant infrastructure investment in our state’s aviation industry.”

The new 125,000-square-foot terminal, the largest in North Dakota, is over three times the size of its old 34,000-square-foot building and designed to serve the community’s needs well into the future. The building includes six gates, four rental car companies, additional space for ticket counters and self-check-in kiosks, a restaurant and gift shop. The new terminal opened to the public this past March.

Minot Airport’s old terminal was designed to handle roughly 100,000 enplanements per year. Up until 2010, the airport averaged around 98,000 enplanements per year. Then in 2011, the airport broke 150,000 enplanements and in 2012, 220,000 enplanements. The new terminal can handle up to 300,000 enplanements per year. Despite a decrease in enplanements in 2015 over the previous year, current enplanements are still higher than they were in 2011.

Later today, Dalrymple will help dedicate a new outdoor display at the Dakota Territory Air Museum honoring the 5th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. The squadron, known as the “Spitten’ Kittens,” flew from the Minot Air Force Base between 1960 and 1988. The display includes a Lockheed T-33 “Shooting Star,” a Convair F-106 “Delta Dart,” and a McDonnell Douglas F-15 “Eagle.”
The museum received a $30,500 Tourism Infrastructure Grant from the North Dakota Department of Commerce to help fund the project.

“This impressive display honors the 5th Fighter Interceptor Squadron for its contributions to the security of our nation and for helping solidify the Minot Air Force Base’s prominence in our nation’s military force,” Dalrymple said.

Credit : as seen on – http://governor.nd.gov/media-center/news/dalrymple-officials-dedicate-new-minot-airport-terminal