Construct new federal contract tower

The City of Mankato received a $1.75 million Project Grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the Airport Improvement Program (CFDA 20.106) on September 18, 2025, to support the construction of a new sponsor-owned federal contract tower and acquisition of eligible equipment at Mankato-area airports. This grant funds Phase 2 of the project, which encompasses design services and a reimbursable agreement for FAA telephone services, with the reimbursable agreement scheduled to conclude in July 2029. The project completion date is September 17, 2029.

This grant represents partial funding for Phase 2, with an associated Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) grant funding the remaining eligible portion of the phase. The federal contract tower construction project aligns with the FAA's strategic objectives of safety and operational excellence while supporting long-term economic benefits for the Mankato region through enhanced airport infrastructure and air traffic control capabilities.

Activities and expected outcomes

This project constructs a new sponsor-owned federal contract tower and acquires and installs eligible equipment. This grant funds a portion of phase 2, which consists of design and a reimbursable agreement for FAA telephone services. The reimbursable agreement is scheduled to conclude in july 2029. This grant is associated with an infrastructure investment and jobs act grant that funds the remaining eligible portion of the phase. Intended beneficiary: this grant will provide federal funding for airports associated with mankato, minnesota.