Tester Secures $10 Million for Yellowstone Airport through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Funding will come from the FY22 Airport Terminal Program created by Senator’s bipartisan IIJA

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced that he secured more than $10 million for the construction of a new terminal at Yellowstone Airport in West Yellowstone. This funding will come from his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and will finance the replacement of a terminal that was built in 1963. The new terminal will be expanded to include adequate space for ticketing and will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“As interest in the Park and its surrounding communities grows, this new terminal will have a big impact on both the travel experience to and from Yellowstone, and on our economy as we recover from historic flooding,” said Tester. “Projects like this state-of-the-art upgrade for Yellowstone Airport are at the heart of our bipartisan infrastructure law—making targeted investments that create local jobs and grow our economy well into the future. As we work to help rebuild after flooding, this key investment is a sign that the region is back open for business.”

Tester secured approximately $144 million for 69 Montana airports through his bipartisan infrastructure law, which will be awarded over five years through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Grants, which can be used to construct or repair runways and taxiways as well as make terminal and gate improvements.

Tester worked across the aisle for months to negotiate his bipartisan package with a group of five Republicans, four Democrats, and the White House, and he was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to vote for it. Tester’s law is projected to create more than 800,000 American jobs and lower costs for businesses by making targeted investments that will strengthen our nation without raising taxes on working families.

Tester secured significant wins for Montana in the legislation, including $2.82 billion for Montana’s roads, highways and bridges; $2.5 billion to complete all authorized Indian water rights settlements; $1 billion to complete all authorized rural water projects through the Bureau of Reclamation; $65 billion to deploy broadband to areas across the country that lack internet access and additionally make online connectivity affordable; and $3.37 billion to reduce wildfire risk nationwide, among others. Tester also worked to ensure that all iron, steel, and construction materials used for these projects must be made in America.

A full list of Montana provisions in Tester’s bipartisan infrastructure law can be found HERE.