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Last modified: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 4:26 PM CDT
Airport gets $4 million for runway repairs
by Jennifer Johnson • Daily News
The Harry Stern Airport in Wahpeton received a $4 million boost in federal stimulus funding Tuesday to help renovate the airport's runway.
Reconstruction will begin in 2010 and bids will be out this year, said Cindy Schreiber-Beck, manager of Tri-State Aviation.
"That's a lot of dollars going back to the community, let alone the levee dollars," she said. "We're extremely pleased this project can move forward."
Although the funds can't cover the entire reconstruction project, estimated to be $7 million, it will be just enough to complete the runway, she said. Frequent jet traffic caused by aerial sprayers, business jets and MediVacs, along with high water levels, has broken the asphalt and required restoration work.
"We have to look at the economic development of the community and surrounding area," said Schreiber-Beck. "This airport is extremely important."
Next year, she anticipates receiving more airport improvement funding to help finish the project. Airport improvement funds are drawn from fuel taxes - not taxpayer dollars - and placed into the general fund.
North Dakota Sens. Byron Dorgan, Kent Conrad and Congressman Earl Pomeroy issued a joint statement on the decision Aug. 24.
"This funding is a huge investment in the Wahpeton economy, and it will create jobs while revitalizing the airport for the use of Wahpeton-area businesses and residents," the delegation said in a press release.
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