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Northwest Regional (Cherry Capital) Airport seeks $20 million toward $131 million terminal expansion
Summary
Northwest Regional Airport Authority asked the committee for $20 million from the state toward a $131 million terminal expansion to add gates, a security checkpoint upgrade and passenger-boarding bridges; presenters cited growth from a 300k-design capacity to 787,000 passengers (2024) and stressed safety, gate shortages and economic impact.
The Northwest Regional Airport Authority (Cherry Capital) told the House Appropriations subcommittee it seeks $20 million in state assistance toward a $131 million plan to expand and modernize its terminal.
Kevin Klein and airport authority representatives said passenger volumes have grown from the terminal’s design capacity of about 300,000 passengers to more than 787,000 passengers in 2024, with a 23% increase already in 2025. The proposal would add four new gates (with immediate space to expand to a fifth), expand passenger hold rooms, upgrade the security checkpoint, and add passenger boarding bridges and apron capacity. The authority said the project supports substantial economic impact (presenter cited more than $1 billion annual impact and projected growth toward $2 billion) and would create jobs during construction and operations.
Funding plans presented included roughly $60 million in FAA grants (typical airport grant share), a state sponsor share and local bonding; the authority said it would also seek Build America/TIFIA credit assistance. Kevin Klein emphasized urgency, saying the terminal has exceeded fire-code capacity on busy days and that delays and gate shortages are harming operations and passenger safety. The authority requested flexibility on pacing of state funds (one-year or multiyear funding options) to reach the $20 million target.
Committee members asked whether the money would pay debt (presenter: no, funds would go directly to construction), alternatives if state funds are not provided (bonding and higher user charges), and the potential to stage funding over multiple years.
