The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) and South Grand Lake Regional Airport (SGLRA) have celebrated the next steps for several much-anticipated improvement projects with a groundbreaking ceremony.
On the slate for upgrades at the northeastern Oklahoma airport are a new terminal, a hangar, and a parallel taxiway.
SGLRA’s improvements are part of a multi-phase effort over the next five years to upgrade the Craig County-based airport.
The projects are programmed and funded by the ODAA Airport Construction Program (ACP), a five-year revolving programme plan that has been a long-standing practice of the agency, but was codified in state law during the 2025 legislative session.
The construction of the terminal and hangar will cost just over $6 million and will be primarily funded by legislatively directed funds through ODAA.
The taxiway project is planned to cost about $6.3 million, with the majority being funded with $6 million from the FAA, and about $314,000 in matching funds being split between ODAA and the local airport sponsor.
According to the airport, its existing terminal building lacks sufficient room and facilities to accommodate waiting passengers, pilots, and other airport visitors.
The first phase of SGLRA’s improvement plan includes constructing a new 3,800-square-foot terminal building to welcome guests with updated facilities and comfortable amenities to showcase a grand front door to the south grand lake community.
The 12,000-square-foot commercial hangar development is part of a statewide effort to increase revenue-generating aircraft storage facilities at airports across Oklahoma.
Rounding out the initial improvements is the construction of a partial parallel taxiway to serve the airport’s north/south runway as they continue to see increased business aviation traffic. The new taxiway will improve safety and efficiency for users of the airport.
“SGLRA’s construction projects are expected to be a springboard for economic expansion in the region with continued progress extending to the rest of the northeast Oklahoma region”, said Grayson Ardies, ODAA executive director.
“Supporting pro-growth aviation acts as a force multiplier. As our airports continue to improve and grow, the community flourishes and commerce thrives, magnifying the positive effects throughout Oklahoma’s broader economy.”