Minnesota DOT Grants $8 Million for Safety Upgrades at 39 Airports

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) announced an $8 million investment to improve safety at 39 airports across the state. The funding will support 57 projects, including runway and taxiway pavement repairs, turf rehabilitation, crack fixing, removal of obstructions, storm‑water pollution prevention planning, fuel‑pump replacements, facility upgrades and security lighting.

Since fiscal year 2022, the State Airports Fund has backed more than 260 safety projects statewide. MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger said the upgrades are vital because Minnesota airports act as economic catalysts, connecting communities, businesses and emergency services while providing training and job opportunities. The grant list spans the state, from Duluth International Airport and Duluth Sky Harbor Airport in the north to Rochester International Airport in the southeast, and includes smaller municipal fields such as Roseau, Worthington and many others.