State budget includes $7 million funding for expansion of Appleton International Airport. Here's what to know.
GREENVILLE - Gov. Tony Evers signed the 2023-2025 biennial budget Wednesday, which includes a $7 million investment for the expansion of the Appleton International Airport.
"I'm really fascinated on how this airport has grown and how opportunities are growing in this part of the state," Evers said during a stop at the airport Thursday.
The $7 million allotted in the budget will provide the airport with roughly 10% of the total cost for its terminal expansion project, which aims to improve the public area for travelers and expand the concourse to accommodate increased air traffic and larger planes.
What's expanding at Appleton's airport?
The Appleton airport has a multi-year plan to expand its terminal and update its traveler amenities to keep up with passenger growth and bring in more flights.
Its first phase — which is partially supported by the state budget — will expand the airport's terminal to increase the number of gates and increase passenger amenities.
The airport currently has six gates and plans to up that number to 10, which Appleton International Airport Director Abe Weber hopes will encourage airlines to add more routes through Appleton.
"The expansion is going to potentially double the capacity for you for commercial air," Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson told The Post-Crescent.
On the passenger side, the expansion plans to improve the gift shop and restaurant and increase the number of restrooms.
The next phases of the project — which has not been designed or put out for bids yet — will include improved ticket counters, baggage claim and driving lanes.
Construction on the next phases will begin once the airport secures funding for those projects.
How much will it cost?
The first phase is expected to cost around $65 million.
Funding for the expansion will come primarily from federal and state grants and a one-time $10 million boost from Outagamie County's budget this year.
The $7 million in state funds will allow the airport to begin the project while the airport waits for federal and state grants to roll in and fund most of the expansion.
When will construction begin?
Weber told The Post-Crescent he expects federal funding to be approved in late summer so construction can begin this fall.
When is the expansion expected to be completed?
Construction of the first phase is expected to take two to three years to complete, so airport travelers can expect updated amenities by 2026.
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Sophia Voight is a local government and political reporter with The Post-Crescent. She can be reached with feedback and tips at svoight@postcrescent.com. Follow her on Twitter @sophia_voight.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton International Airport gets $7 million in state funding
