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GFK airport officials outline $75M primary runway reconstruction, secure $1M small‑community air service grant
Summary
Airport Authority reported completion of the crosswind runway extension, presented a phased plan for a $75 million primary runway reconstruction that requires federal and state funds, and announced a $1 million Small Community Air Service Development grant to attract a new airline; city pledged $300,000 in matching support.
Airport Authority staff briefed the city council on Wednesday about major airfield projects and a federal small‑community grant aimed at attracting a new airline to Grand Forks.
Ryan Riesinger, president/CEO of the Grand Forks Airport Authority, told council that work on the crosswind runway extension and the runway intersection was finished and celebrated with a ribbon cutting Oct. 16, 2024. He said the airport is now in the design and early bidding phases for a complete reconstruction of the primary runway, a project estimated at roughly $75 million.
Riesinger outlined a three‑phase, multi‑year approach to the primary runway work: north segment, south segment and a middle portion. He said the airport plans to seek $37 million in federal discretionary funding, is pursuing $30 million from the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (state), and expects to contribute local funding of about $8 million. “We are fully engaged with all of our senators and representatives,” Riesinger said, and asked council to support the state request as the House appropriations process continues.
Maintaining operations during construction: Riesinger said the recently completed crosswind runway will enable scheduled commercial flights to continue while the primary runway is rehabilitated. He emphasized the need to sequence construction and federal/state funding. “We won’t approve bids until we have a better sense of where we’re sitting with the federal dollars,” he said, noting FAA allocations are typically confirmed in the fall following bid periods.
Air service and community support: Airport staff reported that the airport received a formal award of a U.S. Department of Transportation small community air service development grant of $1,000,000. The community committed $509,000 in additional support; the city has pledged up to $300,000 and the airport will waive fees (landing/terminal) of up to $300,000 and provide $100,000 for marketing. Riesinger said the grant will be used as a minimum‑revenue guarantee to help attract a new carrier and to add competition on local routes.
Other developments: Riesinger reported high activity at UND Aerospace (about 2,100 students enrolled and elevated operations) and noted planned capital projects: a new UND dispatch building and a new FAA air‑traffic control tower (FAA‑funded), which would be about 200 feet tall. He also reported the airport finished 2024 with operating net revenue and that capital expenses remain under review pending audit closeout.
Why it matters: Council members praised progress on the crosswind runway and acknowledged the airport’s reliance on a mix of federal, state and local funding. Several council members said they will press legislators for state funding. As Riesinger warned, if discretionary federal/state grant levels fall short, local taxpayers could be exposed to cost overruns or phasing decisions.
Provenance: Grand Forks City Council, 04/07/2025; report and Q&A led by Ryan Riesinger; related discussion begins at transcript 4022.00 and continues through 5948.90.
