Dickinson commission gives verbal $4 million commitment for new airport terminal

The Dickinson City Commission on June 17 gave a verbal commitment to provide $4 million toward a new Dickinson Municipal Airport terminal, following a project update and funding overview by Airport Manager Kelly Braun.

Braun told commissioners the proposed terminal is a roughly 27,000-square-foot facility sited about a quarter mile south on Highway 22. He said the current terminal, built in the early 2000s for about 9,000 passengers per year, served roughly 26,000 passenger enplanements last year and requires upgrades for larger aircraft, TSA screening and ADA access.

"The new position is a right‑sized, modern facility with improved TSA screening, a 100‑seat passenger holding area and a jet bridge," Braun said. He described the building as a single‑plane entry that removes stairs and elevators from the primary passenger flow.

Braun presented a funding plan he described as $53,400,000 in total. He said the airport expects roughly $12 million in federal funding, and that Dickinson received a $25 million direct allocation through the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission. Braun also told the commission the city would receive funds from Senate Bill 2323 that he characterized as part of the project financing.

Braun said local contributions are expected to total about $10.8 million, with commitments being sought from the airport authority, the city of Dickinson, Stark County, Dunn County and Billings County. He reported Dunn County had already provided a $2 million check and that Billings County had indicated support. The airport authority has pledged $2 million, Braun said.

Commissioners discussed the request and Commissioner Bair moved that the commission give a verbal commitment of $4,000,000 to the terminal project. Commissioner Riddle seconded. The commission voted unanimous in favor.

President Decker and commissioners did not adopt a binding ordinance or budget amendment at the meeting; the motion recorded was a verbal commitment on the record.

Braun said the terminal design cost estimate for vertical construction was about $33.5–$34 million and that the airport will pursue bidding and hoped for lower bids in the August–September timeframe.

Commissioners and Braun indicated the project will proceed with further formal agreements seeking specific appropriations and partner commitments in coming months.