Breaking ground on a Sioux Falls airport expansion
One of the key roles of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce advocacy team is supporting legislation that moves Sioux Falls forward and embracing visions that make our community a great place to live, work and play. As Sioux Falls continues to grow, so do our community’s infrastructure needs.
When we think of infrastructure, many of us immediately picture roads, bridges, water and power. But one of our key forms of transportation in Sioux Falls revolves around air travel. Whether for business or leisure, air travel in and out of Sioux Falls continues to set record-breaking passenger numbers each month.
Two years ago, Dan Letellier, executive director of the Sioux Falls Regional Airport, approached the Chamber with data and a plan. The airport needed more gates to accommodate increased passenger traffic and more space for larger aircraft. But funding became a hurdle, as federal funding alone wasn’t enough to get the project off the ground.
A team of stakeholders from across the state came together and introduced South Dakota Senate Bill 144 during the 2024 South Dakota Legislative Session. The bill appropriated $10 million in funding for airports across the state to apply for terminal infrastructure improvement and expansion grants. SB 144 passed the Legislature and was signed by Governor Noem. The Sioux Falls airport received $2.5 million in grant funding to combine with federal funds and private loans, moving the project closer to reality.
In July 2025, partners at the City of Sioux Falls also approved $5 million as a loan to secure the final piece of funding needed to break ground.
In early September, the airport broke ground on a terminal expansion that will add four gates and more apron space to accommodate additional flights and larger aircraft. This much-needed addition is an exciting development and will strengthen the airport as an invaluable asset as our community grows. The new gates are expected to open in spring 2027.
This project is a tangible example of how a partnership between federal, state and local governments and the private sector can come together to accomplish a shared goal to move our community forward.