Duluth International Airport improvements funding provided, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Liish Kozlowski and 2 co-sponsors

Provides a one-time $4 million grant to Duluth Airport Authority to design and construct a new air traffic control tower and related facilities, with a federal match.

Author added Kozlowski

#airportsandaircraft #appropriations

Purpose

HF 5036 proposes a one-time appropriation to support the design and construction of a new air traffic control (ATC) tower and associated facilities at Duluth International Airport. The bill directs funding to improve aviation infrastructure at the airport and to bolster its operational capacity and safety.

Key Provisions

Funding and Source

Authorizes a grant of $4,000,000 in FY 2027 from the state Airports Fund to the Duluth Airport Authority.
The appropriation is one-time and available until June 30, 2028.
A portion of the funds must be used as a match to federal funding for the project.

Project Scope

The funds are to be used to design, construct, furnish, and equip:
A new air traffic control tower.
A base building including:
- Office spaces and office support spaces
- Equipment rooms and work spaces
- Logistic support spaces
The project includes related site work, such as:
Demolition of obsolete buildings
Construction and installation of utilities
Stormwater retention system
Replacement of an existing fuel tank

Limitations and Clarifications

The appropriation may not be used for administrative costs (explicitly disallowed outside the project scope).
It adds to ongoing airport funding previously appropriated in 2025 (Laws 2025, First Special Session, ch. 8, art. 1, sec. 2, subd. 2, par. (a)(1)).

Affected Entities

Duluth Airport Authority: Recipient of the grant, responsible for planning, constructing, furnishing, and equipping the new ATC tower and base building, in coordination with the Minnesota Department of Transportation as needed.

State Airports Fund: Source of the $4 million appropriation.

Minnesota Department of Transportation (Commissioner of Transportation): Receives the grant and oversees the disbursement and project requirements, including ensuring the federal match component.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Effective/Availability: The appropriation is available through June 30, 2028.

Status: As introduced, the bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Transportation Finance and Policy (April 20, 2026).

Match Requirement: A portion of the funds must serve as a federal match, aligning with federal aviation funding programs.

Potential Impact

Enhances aviation safety and operations at Duluth International Airport through a modern ATC tower and refreshed facilities.

Improves infrastructure resilience with updated utilities and stormwater management.

Supports economic development by modernizing airport capacity and potentially enabling greater air service and efficiency.

Fiscal impact limited to a one-time $4 million grant (FY 2027) with a defined deadline for use, reducing uncertainty beyond the 2028 period.

Bill