Tester Secures $10 Million for Bozeman Airport’s Terminal Expansion

Funding will come from Senator’s bipartisan infrastructure law

As a direct result of his bipartisan infrastructure law, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced he has secured $10,000,000 to expand and upgrade the terminal at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. This grant will fund a portion of the terminal reconstruction and expansion project, which includes upgrades to the checkpoint lanes, baggage claim, and approximately three gate areas to increase energy efficiency and capacity.

This funding, awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Terminal Program, comes from Tester’s bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Tester negotiated the IIJA with a group of five Republicans, four Democrats, and President Biden, and was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to support the legislation.

“The Bozeman airport is the fastest growing airport in the state with more folks coming in and out of the Gallatin Valley every day,” said Tester. “I’m proud to have secured this funding for the airport’s expansion project to keep up with growing demand, and ensure that folks in Gallatin County and beyond have the critical infrastructure they need to run their businesses and stay connected.”

Tester has led the charge to upgrade Montana’s airport infrastructure to attract more regular and cheaper flights to the state. In August, as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester secured more than $1.2 million through the 2024 government funding package for the Bozeman airport for equipment to clear the runway during adverse weather conditions.

He previously secured approximately $144 million for Montana’s airports through the IIJA, which will be awarded over five years between 2022 and 2026. This funding can be used to construct or repair runways and taxiways as well as make terminal and gate improvements. Tester has also led the effort to lower costs and expand access to reliable air service in rural communities.

In May, Tester successfully included key priorities to increase affordable air service in legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including the Small Community Air Service Enhancement Act that will help small airports compete for grants to attract new air carrier service to their communities and reauthorization of the Essential Air Service program (EAS) to ensure Montana’s rural communities continue to have airline service options connecting them to larger hubs.