Rapid City Regional Airport Expansion Approved Unanimously

The $100 million project will add 5 new gates to the terminal.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Rapid City City Council has unanimously approved a $100 million expansion project for the Rapid City Regional Airport. The project will add 5 new gates to the terminal and be funded in part by $44 million from the city's Vision Fund.

Why it matters

The airport expansion is seen as a critical infrastructure investment to support the growing number of travelers and flights in and out of Rapid City, which has become a popular destination for outdoor recreation and tourism in the Black Hills region.

The details

The airport expansion project will cost around $100 million total, with $44 million coming from the city's Vision Fund. The project will add 5 new gates to the existing terminal. The city council also approved a separate $39 million project for a new fleet maintenance and fire facility at the airport.

  • The city council voted on and approved the expansion plan on Tuesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Rapid City Regional Airport

The main airport serving Rapid City, South Dakota and the surrounding Black Hills region.

Rapid City City Council

The governing body of the city of Rapid City, South Dakota that unanimously approved the airport expansion project.

Rapid City Vision Fund

A municipal fund in Rapid City that will provide $44 million in funding for the airport expansion project.

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What’s next

The airport expansion project will now move forward with detailed planning and construction, with an expected completion date in the next 2-3 years.

The takeaway

The unanimous approval of the $100 million Rapid City Regional Airport expansion demonstrates the city's commitment to investing in critical infrastructure to support the region's growing tourism and travel demands.