08.09.11

Delegation Announces Over $1 Million For Grand Forks International Airport

Washington - Senators Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and Congressman Rick Berg today announced that Federal Aviation Administration will issue a grant of $1,081,671 to Grand Forks International Airport. This grant will provide federal funding for additional construction, paving, fencing, and reimbursement for engineering costs for the new terminal. 

The delegation noted that federal investment in Grand Forks has been substantial lately.  In addition to the airport, Grand Forks Air Force Base and the new University of North Dakota Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training Facility are glowing examples of public-private partnerships that are creating robust economic development in the area.

Last week, the House and the Senate agreed to a deal regarding the funding of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The deal restores FAA funding and authority to collect taxes until mid-September and enabled the reinstatement of grants for airport construction.

Senators Conrad and Hoeven and Congressman Berg will attend the dedication of the new passenger terminal at Grand Forks International Airport tomorrow which is being named in honor of former U.S. Senator Byron L. Dorgan.  Senator Dorgan, together with Senator Conrad and former Congressman Earl Pomeroy, helped direct close to $50 million in airport related investments to Grand Forks, including more than $9 million for Grand Forks International Airport.

Grand Forks International Airport is currently the 23rd busiest airport in the nation. It handles commercial passenger jet service from Delta and Allegiant airlines, small general aviation aircraft, and student pilots from the University of North Dakota's John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.