State Funding Approved For Cheyenne Airport Terminal

It looks like plans to build a new terminal for the Cheyenne Airport can move ahead now that the state has approved a $3 million grant to help build the facility.

The State Loan and Investment Board approved the grant on a vote of 4-1 Thursday in Cheyenne.

The grant, added to $15.1 million in other funding, will allow the facility to be finished in a couple of years give or take a few months according to Airport Board President Frank Gerstenkorn.

Part of the funding also includes $6.3 million in sixth penny sales tax money that was approved by Laramie County voters for the project.

Gerstenkorn says the project is currently in the design phase, with officials hoping to break ground by the middle of next year. Construction is expected to take about a year and a half.

When completed the project will include a new apron for parking airplanes as well as more parking and an improved road system.

The existing terminal is almost 60 years old and is plagued with electrical problems and other issues, according to officials. Gerstenkorn says what will be done with the current site isn't clear, adding a convention center or a three story hotel are among the options that have been discussed.