(FARGO) – The expansion and renovation project at Fargo’s Hector International Airport took a big step forward today, as the project’s groundbreaking took place with local, state and federal officials on hand.
“The groundbreaking of this expansion marks a great day for our travelers, the Fargo-Moorhead region, and the state of North Dakota with a $155.9 million budget. Our terminal expansion and modification project will include an additional four gates for a total of nine to provide an improved terminal experience,” City of Fargo Municipal Airport Authority Chairman Jim Kapitan said at the ceremony. The project also includes the expansion of the aircraft apron, reconstruction of the existing aircraft apron, and a pipeline to treat aircraft deicing fluid runoff, along with a new parking ramp and connecting skyway.
“It is our goal to complete the passenger terminal expansion and modification project by the first quarter in 2027, and the parking ramp is scheduled to be completed in August of 2025,” he said. “When completed, this airport will have state of the state-of-the-art additions, to service our growing customer base and will provide an improved environment which our employees and travelers can enjoy.”
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum said that the growth of the state will impact the state’s air travel—meaning there will be “more demand for more air travel.”
Senator John Hoeven said that, after the projects are done at Hector, that the airport “is going to be the nicest airport between Minneapolis and Seattle.
“For more than two decades, we’ve worked to build the Fargo-Moorhead region into an engine of innovation and economic growth. Our efforts have resulted in a dynamic, expanding community, and in order to keep up this pace, we need updated infrastructure that can meet the growing demands of residents and businesses,” Hoeven said. “With $25 million in federal funding already announced, we will continue working to fulfill the federal cost share and help make this important effort a reality. At the same time, we are working to address key issues affecting air travel around the country, particularly the shortage of qualified air traffic controllers. The good news is that we’re leveraging the expertise of UND to help meet this need and ensure that all airports across the country have access to the ATC staffing they need to maintain safety and efficiency.”
Senator Kevin Cramer was also in attendance.
“it’s projects like this that remind us that the movement of goods and services is good for the economy. There are lots of expenditures that are not,” Cramer said. “But the supply side of our economy is the marketing of what we make, what we produce, what we grow, what we manufacture, what we sell. And that includes the movement of people.”
