Hector International Airport considering upwards of $300 Million in improvements in 10-year plan

(Fargo, ND) -- Fargo's Hector International Airport is considering projects, upgrades, and renovations that could cost more than $300 million dollars.

The numbers come from Shawn Dobberstein, Director of Fargo's Airport Authority. He says Hector International Airport has "well in excess" of $300 million dollars in capital improvements that would be implemented over the next 10 years. 

"This would be the largest capital improvement project since I've been there - since 1991," said Dobberstein, "It's very expensive, and that number is built in with some inflationary numbers that the experts put together. We will see if they are accurate once we get out to bid."

Dobberstein says the largest cost would come from the terminal expansion project, estimated to cost $123 million dollars alone. Another project under consideration, but not officially incorporated into the master construction plan, is a parking structure for travelers that would cost anywhere between $30,000 to $50,000 per spot. Other projects on the docket include using $20 million in concrete to accommodate The Fargo Jet Center's expansion, replacing concrete near the South General Aviation Area, and to expand a terminal ramp to accommodate the terminal expansion project.

Dobberstein says upwards of 75% of the projects under consideration can use federal funds, as long as they are allocated towards the airport in the first place. He says the funds are highly competitive because other airports across the country are also seeking assistance with projects they look to complete.

"Congress allocated $5 billion dollars in the bipartisan infrastructure law... This year now applications were just accepted for the second billion of that $5 billion, they had 680 requests that totaled $9.8 billion for this $1 billion dollars. There is three more opportunities for us to apply for that."

 You can learn more about Fargo's Hector International Airport by clicking here.