Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Aeronautics and Aviation

2026 Airport Grant awards

We're excited to announce the 2026 Airport Grant awards, which include capital improvement, planning, and fuel infrastructure projects. These investments support the continued safety, sustainability and accessibility of Minnesota’s local public airport system. These projects are funded with a combination of state airport funds and state general funds approved by the Minnesota Legislature.

Capital Improvement Grant

This year, we selected 30 local airports throughout Minnesota to receive $6.4 million for capital improvement projects. This grant funds critical upgrades including pavement maintenance, obstruction removal, fencing, lighting, hangar repairs, and other facility improvements that enhance airport operations and user safety.

Facility Name FAA ID Project Title Total Score Total Cost State Funds Local Funds
Cambridge CBG Crack Seal Airfield Pavements 75 $50,000 $35,000 $15,000
Ada D00 Crack Sealing 75 $35,000 $31,500 $3,500
Baudette BDE Runway 12/30 Obstruction Removal 75 $400,000 $280,000 $120,000
Hutchinson HCD Taxiway A Crack Repair 73 $50,000 $35,000 $15,000
Clarissa 8Y5 Pilot Facility and Runway Improvements 70 $124,000 $111,600 $12,400
Sleepy Eye Y58 Runway 14/32 Turf Rehabilitation 70 $85,000 $76,500 $8,500
Eveleth EVM GA Apron Repair 69 $30,000 $21,000 $9,000
Herman 06Y Wind Cone Replacement 67 $22,000 $19,800 $2,200
Henning 05Y Turf Improvements and Obstruction Removal 65 $10,000 $9,000 $1,000
Red Wing RGK Crack Seal - Primary Runway and Taxiway 65 $145,000 $101,500 $43,500
Hutchinson HCD South Hangar Taxilanes Rehabilitation (Mill & Overlay) 65 $200,000 $140,000 $60,000
Brooten 6D1 2"" Mill and Overlay Apron and Runway - Design/Bidding 65 $157,000 $141,300 $15,700
Granite Falls GDB Runway 15/33 Lighting System Upgrade to LED 62 $750,000 $675,000 $75,000
Hutchinson HCD Ramp Lighting LED Upgrade 62 $15,000 $10,500 $4,500
Caledonia CHU Terminal Area Security Fence and Gate 62 $30,000 $21,000 $9,000
Cambridge CBG 2025 Perimeter Fence Repair 62 $75,000 $52,500 $22,500
Morris MOX Terminal Area Security Fence and Gate 62 $100,000 $70,000 $30,000
Fertile D14 Airfield Pavement Maintenance 60 $125,000 $112,500 $12,500
Northome 43Y Disk & Level Runway 60 $25,000 $22,500 $2,500
Red Lake Falls D81 Crack Seal 60 $20,000 $18,000 $2,000
Brainerd BRD Crack Sealing 60 $50,000 $35,000 $15,000
Bagley 7Y4 Runway Rehab Cost Analysis 60 $37,500 $31,500 $3,500
Remer 52Y ALP, CZAP, Pack and Roll Runway, Emergency Phone Box 60 $125,500 $112,950 $12,550
Winsted 10D Runway Topsoil & Seeding 60 $100,000 $70,000 $30,000
Duluth International DLH Airside Pavement Maintenance  58 $150,000 $105,000 $45,000
Hill City 07Y Security Fence - Phase 1 57 $260,000 $234,000 $26,000
Hutchinson HCD T-Hangar #2 Siding and Roof Replacement 56 $150,000 $90,000 $60,000
Buffalo CFE T-Hangar Door Replacements - (2) 56 $60,000 $36,000 $24,000
Morris MOX FBO Hangar Door Replacement 56 $175,000 $105,000 $70,000
Lake Elmo 21D Runway 4-22 Reconstructon 56 $4,153,579 $1,000,000 $3,153,579
Hutchinson HCD T-Hangar #1 Roof Replacement 56 $100,000 $60,000 $40,000
Fertile D14 Parcel 9 Land Acquisition 55 $75,000 $67,500 $7,500
St Cloud STC Crack Seal 55 $25,000 $17,500 $7,500
St Cloud STC Joint Sealing 55 $100,000 $70,000 $30,000
Thief River Falls TVF Airfield Pavement Maintenance 55 $300,000 $210,000 $90,000
Duluth International DLH Midfield Ramp Repair (Phase 4) 54 $1,000,000 $700,000 $300,000
Waskish VWU Expand Turf Apron, Install tiedowns 54 $75,000 $67,500 $7,500
Wells 68Y Apron Expansion - 240'x220' 54 $500,000 $450,000 $50,000
Rochester RST Corporate Hangar Site Development 54 $4,496,110 $1,000,000 $3,496,110
Northome 43Y Tiedown Installation 52 $15,000 $13,500 $1,500
St James JYG Runway 15/33, Taxiway A, and Apron Pavement Maintenance (crack repair & seal coat) 50 $229,100 $160,370 $68,730
Paynesville PEX Hangar Taxilanes Rehabilitation (Crack Repair) 50 $100,000 $70,000 $30,000
Olivia OVL Taxilane Reconstruction 50 $75,000 $67,500 $7,500
Willmar BDH Runway 13/31 Pavement Maintenance (Crack Repair & Patching) 50 $135,000 $94,500 $40,500
Worthington OTG South Hangar Taxilanes Rehabilitation(Crack Repair and Seal Coat) 50 $200,000 $140,000 $60,000
Forest Lake 25D Runway 13/31 Extension - 300 feet 50 $1,137,627 $1,000,000 $137,627
Henning 05Y Pavement Improvements design/bid 49 $36,000 $32,400 $3,600
Mahnomen 3N8 Entrance Road and Parking Lot Paving 49 $100,000 $70,000 $30,000
Hill City 07Y Parking Lot & Drainage Grading 49 $23,000 $20,700 $2,300
Ada D00 Update A/D building with new flooring, sheetrock repair and update plumbing 48 $30,000 $27,000 $3,000
Bowstring 9Y0 A/D Building Utilities 48 $10,000 $9,000 $1,000
Forest Lake 25D Taxiway A Extension - 300 Feet 48 $338,774 $304,897 $33,877
Hutchinson HCD Snow Removal Equipment Building (40'x40') 46 $400,000 $280,000 $120,000
Milaca 18Y Reconstruct Taxilanes (Phase 3) 45 $355,000 $319,500 $35,500
Luverne LYV 5-Unit T-Hangar Taxilane 45 $315,500 $220,850 $94,650
Forest Lake 25D Apron Expansion - 200' x 80' 44 $300,000 $270,000 $30,000
Bowstring 9Y0 Runway Lighting Improvements 42 $500,000 $450,000 $50,000
Paynesville PEX Security Access Gate 42 $20,000 $14,000 $6,000
Warren D37 Obstruction Removal 42 $10,000 $9,000 $1,000
Albert Lea AEL SRE Building Door Replacement 41 $400,000 $280,000 $120,000
Redwood Falls RWF Hangar Taxilanes Pavement Maintenance (Crack Repair and Seal Coat) 40 $150,000 $105,000 $45,000
Brooten 6D1 Parking Lot Paving and Apron Fence design/bid 39 $24,000 $21,600 $2,400
Benson BBB Terminal Building Septic System Rehabilitation 38 $125,000 $87,500 $37,500
St James JYG Terminal Area Security Fence and Gate 37 $20,000 $14,000 $6,000
Blue Earth SBU White Hangar Painting 36 $43,000 $25,800 $17,200
Bowstring 9Y0 Construct SRE Equipment Building 36 $400,000 $360,000 $40,000
Bowstring 9Y0 Hangar Site Prep 36 $75,000 $45,000 $30,000
Backus 7Y3 Design - Taxilane Extension & Building Area Site Prep (North) 35 $40,000 $36,000 $4,000
Olivia OVL Design - T-Hangar, Taxilanes, & Apron 35 $150,000 $135,000 $15,000
St James JYG Terminal Building HVAC Replacement 33 $10,000 $7,000 $3,000
Fertile D14 A/D Building Design & Construction 33 $750,000 $675,000 $75,000
Willmar BDH Terminal Building Water Well Pump Replacement 33 $25,000 $17,500 $7,500
Bemidji BJI Terminal Building HVAC Replacement 33 $750,000 $525,000 $225,000
Albert Lea AEL T-Hangar Door, Roof, and Lighting Upgrade 31 $100,000 $60,000 $40,000
St James JYG T-Hangar Rehabilitation (Painting) 31 $35,000 $21,000 $14,000
Mahnomen 3N8 Airport Entrance Sign 29 $15,000 $10,500 $4,500
Milaca 18Y Remodel A/D Building 28 $45,000 $40,500 $4,500
Starbuck D32 Security Fence 27 $139,000 $125,100 $13,900
Warren D37 Airport Maintenance Building design/bid 26 $160,000 $144,000 $16,000
Owatonna OWA City Owned Maintenance Hangar #11 Roof Replacement 26 $560,000 $336,000 $224,000
Owatonna OWA City Owned Dome Hangar Door Replacement 26 $60,000 $36,000 $24,000
Redwood Falls RWF City Owned T-Hangar Door Replacement 26 $200,000 $120,000 $80,000
Slayton DVP Part 77 Obstruction Lighting 22 $43,000 $38,700 $4,300
Bemidji BJI FBO Building Modifications- Phase II 21 $125,000 $87,500 $37,500
Fosston FSE Install Airport Security Cameras 20 $10,000 $7,000 $3,000
Willmar BDH Hangar Access Road Construction 19 $250,000 $175,000 $75,000
Two Harbors TWM Snow Removal Equipment Building (40'x40') 16 $400,000 $280,000 $120,000
Slayton DVP Hangar Door Rehabilitation 16 $282,000 $169,200 $112,800
Winona ONA FBO Hangar Roof Repair 16 $100,000 $60,000 $40,000
Stephen D41 Public Apron with Fencing and Automobile Parking design/bid 14 $108,000 $97,200 $10,800

Planning Grant

This year, we selected 26 local airports to receive $682,000 to support foundational work, including airport zoning ordinance updates, Clear Zone Acquisition Plans, Airport Layout Plan updates and stormwater planning. These efforts are essential for long-term safety, land-use compatibility, and project readiness.

Facility Name Ident Project Title Total Cost State Funds  Local Funds 
Buffalo CFE Runway 18/36 Storm Water Modeling $20,000 $14,000 $6,000
Morris MOX Runway 14/32 Clear Zone Acquisition Plan $10,000 $7,000 $3,000
Bagley 7Y4 Clear Zone Acquisition Plan $10,000 $9,000 $1,000
Bowstring 9Y0 MnDOT Clear Zone Acquisition Plan $10,000 $9,000 $1,000
Rochester RST Airport Zoning Update $113,240 $79,268 $33,972
Pine River PWC Clear Zone Action Plan (CZAP) $10,000 $7,000 $3,000
Waskish VWU MnDOT Clear Zone Acquisition Plan $10,000 $9,000 $1,000
Northome 43Y MnDOT Clear Zone Acquisition Plan $10,000 $9,000 $1,000
Fosston FSE Zoning Update $50,000 $35,000 $15,000
Fosston FSE Clear Zone Acquisition Plan $10,000 $7,000 $3,000
Henning 05Y Airport Zoning, CZAP + Attorney Allowance $57,000 $51,300 $5,700
Herman 06Y Airport Zoning + Attorney Allowance $49,000 $44,100 $4,900
Tracy TKC Airport Zoning, CZAP + Attorney Allowance $55,000 $38,500 $16,500
Starbuck D32 Clear Zone Action Plan (CZAP) $10,000 $9,000 $1,000
St James JYG Runway 15/33 Clear Zone Acquisition Plan $10,000 $7,000 $3,000
Aitkin AIT Clear Zone Action Plan (CZAP) $10,000 $7,000 $3,000
Brooten 6D1 ALP Sheet Updates and CZAP $40,000 $36,000 $4,000
Bemidji BJI Clear Zone Acquisition Plan $10,000 $7,000 $3,000
Appleton AQP Airport Zoning and CZAP + Attorney Allowance $55,000 $49,500 $5,500
Worthington OTG Airport Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) $7,500 $5,250 $2,250
Blue Earth SBU Clear Zone Action Plan (CZAP) $10,000 $7,000 $3,000
Warren D37 Airport Zoning + Attorney Allowance $47,000 $42,300 $4,700
Owatonna OWA Airport Zoning Ordinance Update $35,000 $24,500 $10,500
Slayton DVP Airport Zoning, CZAP + Attorney Allowance $53,000 $47,700 $5,300
Tower 12D Airport Zoning Update $59,000 $41,300 $17,700
Maple Lake MGG 2024 MMG Taxilane H Amendment $47,000 $28,200 $18,800
Stephen D41 Airport Zoning, CZAP + Attorney Allowance $57,000 $51,300 $5,700

Aviation Fuel System Grant

This year, we selected 27 local Minnesota airports to receive $7.1 million for projects that will replace or upgrade fuel systems and equipment. Projects include fuel tank and dispenser replacements, fuel truck acquisitions, card reader and payment system upgrades, and major fueling infrastructure relocations. The improvements will ensure safe, reliable, and modern fueling capabilities across Minnesota’s local public airport system.

Airport Project title Total project cost State funding Local funding
Ely AVGAS Refueling Truck $175,000 $105,000 $70,000
New Ulm Replace Aircraft Fuel System + civil site work/taxilane work $1,811,000 $1,267,700 $543,300
Moorhead Moorhead Fuel Tank and Pumps $575,000 $345,000 $172,500
Tracy Update Fuel System with EMV Chip Reader $30,000 $18,000 $12,000
Henning EMV Fuel Card Reader and Pump Replacement $70,000 $42,000 $28,000
Glencoe Fuel System & Tank Replacement $500,000 $300,000 $200,000
Blue Earth Card Reader System & Fuel Monitor Replacement  $80,000 $48,000 $32,000
Dodge Center Dodge Center Card Reader $15,318 $9,190.80 $6,127
Herman Fuel System Replacement with EMV Card Reader $139,000 $83,400 $55,600
Waseca AvGas Fuel Dispenser Replacement and Tank Removal $150,000 $90,000 $60,000
Owatonna Credit Card Reader Replacement $30,000 $18,000 $12,000
Brainerd Fuel Monitoring System $80,000 $48,000 $32,000
Brainerd Fuel Tank $600,000 $360,000 $240,000
Canby Airport Fuel System Credit Card Reader Enhancement $20,000 $12,000 $8,000
Baudette Seaplane Ramp Fueling System $145,000 $87,000 $58,000
Baudette Fuel Farm and Fuel Truck Maintenance $50,000 $30,000 $20,000
Warroad Update Pay at Pump CC Reader $28,950 $17,370 $11,580
Eveleth FUEL STATION UPGRADE $21,714 $13,028.40 $6,514
Rush City Fuel System Cabinet and Card Reader Replacement $50,000 $30,000 $20,000
Winona Replace AvGAS and Jet-A Fuel Systems $1,250,000 $750,000 $500,000
Pipestone 100LL and Jet A Fuel System Replacement $1,000,000 $600,000 $400,000
Marshall Fueling Facility Relocation $1,191,900 $715,140 $476,760
Duluth International Fuel Farm Relocation $1,767,418 $784,232 $983,186
Duluth Sky Harbor Fuel Farm Relocation and Improvements $453,956 $272,374 $181,582
Litchfield 100LL and Jet A Credit Card Reader Pump, and Hose Reel Upgrade $100,000 $70,000 $30,000
Hutchinson 100LL Credit Card Reader Upgrade $35,000 $21,000 $10,500
Morris Jet A Fuel Truck $120,000 $72,000 $48,000
St Cloud Jet A Fuel Storage Tank $1,200,000 $720,000 $480,000
Thief River Falls Fuel Truck Acquisition $291,000 $174,600 $116,400

Advancing Minnesota’s multimodal transportation system

The investments supported by Minnesota’s aviation grants align with MnDOT’s Strategic Plan and the Minnesota State Aviation System Plan. They help strengthen a safe, sustainable statewide airport system that serves Minnesotans through: safety, equity and community vitality; climate action; transportation options and integration; and asset management.

Contact

For more information about our 2026 grant programs, contact Arika Johnson.