Mar. 17—MANNING, N.D. — During a bimonthly meeting on Wednesday, the Dunn County Commission approved a request to fund half of a $2.1 million project for a new terminal building at Dunn County Weydahl Field Airport, approximately 2 miles north of Killdeer.

Dunn County Airport Authority Chairman Mike Schollmeyer requested the commission's financial support to build a new airport terminal building, asking the county to cover 50% of the cost.

"We just opened bids on Friday. With the quality control oversight we're coming in at $2,116,488. Now, we've been talking with the state for years about this project. Nothing's ever guaranteed because they have their own commissioners but the director and the airport planner at the state level had said that they're going to award us anywhere from 35 to 50% for this grant, depending on their funding," Schollmeyer told the commission. "With the (federal) infrastructure bill that just passed, the $1.1 trillion is getting funneled down."

Although he's unsure exactly how much of the project will be funded by the state, he said they have no debt and $281,000 in their capital improvement fund. Schollmeyer explained that would be almost enough to cover the remaining 15% if the state only covers 35%.

"I'd hate to see you spend that down to a zero balance, I think you need to try and maintain $75,000 to $100,000 there, in case you have to do a runway repair or whatever," Commissioner Daryl Dukart said.

Schollmeyer said they would seek other assistance if state funding was insufficient.

"If we only get 35% from the state, then we will also go to the City of Killdeer because they've helped us out in the past," he said.

Commissioner Cody Buehner made a motion to approve the request for 50% funding of the project. An amendment was made to clarify that if the airport needs the additional 15% and the City of Killdeer does not provide it, the commission will. Both measures passed unanimously, with Commissioner JoAnn Marsh absent from the meeting.

The bid was awarded to Tooz Construction of Dickinson. They plan to tear down the existing building once the new one is completed. Schollmeyer explained the airport is frequently being utilized as a meeting hub for businessmen.

"We've actually driven out there to see who's flying in. You walk in the door and there's nine people sitting at our conference table all wearing suits talking to their vendors, their subordinates and they're conducting business at the airport," he said. "... We're making it easier for business aircraft to fly in because we do have an industrial complex right next door to the airport. We are right in the heart of the oil country."

The airfield was used for 13 Life Flight operations in 2021. Schollmeyer said they've been planning this project since 2018, but it was delayed, citing a drop in state and local revenues when oil prices plummeted at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. North Dakota has 89 airports, with this being the only one in Dunn County.

"The new structure will be 3,100-square feet. It will include a conference room, pilot's lounge, office, lobby, kitchen, flight planning room and maintenance area. The existing structure was built in 1982 and was heavily damaged in the 2013 storm that also

destroyed

the hangar," Schollmeyer said to The Dickinson Press. "The airport has been modernizing over the last decade with a new runway in 2015, new fuel system in 2016, and a new hangar in 2018. The airport also added GPS approach for instrument landing in 2019."

In 2023, they plan to install an automated weather observation system. He also said the Dunn County Fly-In will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 18 at Weydahl Field in Killdeer. Lunch will be provided.

"Over 400 people and 30 aircraft attended last year, 86 kids received rides as well. We hope for the same turnout this spring," Schollmeyer added.

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