A new “front door” is coming to Laramie in the form of a state of the art building at the Laramie Regional Airport.

According to Jack Skinner, Airport Manager, construction is expected to begin on the new $2 million general aviation building next week or early in August. He says he is excited about the new building, which will replace the over 60-year-old  aviation terminal currently in use.

“It’s a long time coming and it’s going to be a huge addition to the airport and the community," says Skinner. "It will be a great gateway to the people that arrive via air into Laramie."

George Krell, chairman of the Laramie Regional Airport Board, agrees.

“We’re excited to move ahead with a project that will significantly enhance our airport facilities and create an extremely positive first impression of the Laramie community,” says Krell. “We wouldn’t have the opportunity to build such an impressive facility without the support of outstanding public and private partners.”

Funding for the project comes from a variety of public and private sources. Funds come from a Wyoming Department of Transportation aeronautics grant ($777,000); Laramie Regional Airport cash reserves ($278,000); the University of Wyoming Foundation, including the McMurry Foundation ($395,000); economic development recapture funds from Albany County and the city of Laramie ($100,000 each); consensus grant funds from the State Loan and Investment Board through city and county governments ($200,000); the Evans Family Trust ($50,000); First Interstate Bank ($25,000); and the Guthrie Family Foundation ($20,000).

The airport board continues to work with private, corporate and governmental organizations to secure additional funding.

The new building will include flight-planning rooms, map rooms, a lounge area conference room, upgraded bathrooms and a kitchen. GH Phipps Construction Co. of Wyoming is the general contractor for the project.

Skinner says the new building has been designed so it connects architecturally with the new Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center, which is opening this fall. Both places are meant to be a “front door” for the city.

The project is scheduled to be completed in March 2015.

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