Four Central Minnesota Airports Land $1.2 Million in State Grants

(KNSI) – Four central Minnesota airports will share close to $1.2 million in state money for runway and pavement work, part of an $8 million package the Minnesota Department of Transportation announced Monday.

The biggest local award goes to Brooten Municipal Airport, which will receive $1,000,000 for a two-inch mill and overlay of its apron and runway, plus construction administration.

St. Cloud Sky Central Airport picks up $105,000 across two projects, both slated for state fiscal year 2027. One is $35,000 for annual pavement maintenance and crack sealing. The other is $70,000 to replace concrete joint sealant.

Sauk Centre Municipal Airport will get $84,700 for crack repair on its runway, taxiway, apron and taxilanes.

Statewide, MnDOT is funding 57 projects at 39 airports. Much of the work is pavement improvement and turf rehabilitation, crack repair, and removing obstructions along runways and taxiways. Other grants cover stormwater pollution prevention planning, fuel pump replacements, facility upgrades and maintenance, and security lighting.

The agency says the Aeronautics Capital Grant Fund has paid for more than 260 safety projects at airports around Minnesota since fiscal year 2022.

The grants are financed through the State Airports Fund, which draws primarily from aviation fuel and sales taxes along with aircraft property taxes and registration fees.

___