Rapid City Regional Airport expansion important for the community

This story has been updated to reflect the date of the current terminal being built.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) - Phase one of the Rapid City Regional Airport expansion is underway, with upgrades to account for a future increase in passengers. An update on the three-phase program was given Tuesday at the city’s public works meeting.

Phase one, which started six months ago, is all about upgrades to capacity. This is the first time the airport has expanded its capabilities since the terminal was built in the 1980s. Executive Director Patrick Dame emphasized the importance of these upgrades for the community.

“And we view the airport as being a very important asset to the community in terms of driving economic development, and a lot of people who are flying in are coming to see the beautiful black hills, and you know, as they come in, they come in via road or they come in through the airport,” Dame said.

Phase one should be completed within the next year, followed by phase two, which is focused on gate expansion.

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