Provo Airport seeks $4.5 million from state toward $138 million expansion to 10 gates

Provo Airport leaders told the Transportation and Infrastructure Appropriations Subcommittee they are requesting $4,500,000 in state funds to help complete a roughly $138,000,000 program of terminal and airside expansions that would grow the airport to 10 full gates and add a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility for international arrivals.

Brian Torgerson, general manager of Provo Airport, described rapid growth since the new terminal opened July 13, 2022. He said the airport has doubled enplanements each of the last two years and has become one of the fastest‑growing airports in the nation for that period. The project plan presented includes airside improvements to expand overnight aircraft parking and a terminal expansion from the existing four gates to 10, with flex gates convertible for international arrivals.

Torgerson said the total estimated cost is $138,000,000 and that $131,000,000 is already in place from FAA, Utah County, Provo City and other partners; the requested $4,500,000 would help secure additional federal participation and interim financing. He said the airport recently received $9,500,000 from the FAA and that Utah County has committed substantial funding (presenter cited recent county contribution of $76,000,000). The presenters said they plan phased construction with airside work starting in the spring and terminal work later in the year.

Committee members asked about fee structures, passenger fees and whether airport users or taxpayers will shoulder costs. Presenters said initial incentive fee structures were used to attract carriers and that operating costs are currently self‑sustaining; capital funding relied on a mix of local, federal and state resources. No committee vote on the state request was recorded in the transcript.