OGDENSBURG – An $18 million grant will help transform the Ogdensburg International Airport into a regional transportation hub.

Governor Kathy Hochul said the improvements will attract new travelers to the area and fuel economic growth throughout the North Country.

She said the project has been awarded $18 million from the Governor’s $230 million Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, will expand the check-in, ticketing and baggage drop off areas; construct a new canopy over the curbside drop-off/pick-up area, install new passenger information display systems and make other improvements to enhance the passenger experience and create a state-of-the-art gateway for the entire region. A new, multi-purpose great room will also be created to provide much-needed community space for civic gatherings, conferences, business meetings and other public events.

The project, which has a total estimated cost of $21.5 million and is expected to create 195 jobs, will provide a comprehensive renovation of the terminal building to create a multi-purpose facility that better serves passengers and air carriers, and attracts new visitors and businesses to the region. Improvements include expansion of lobby for check-in, ticketing, and baggage drop, additional restrooms, expansion of the screening, concession and baggage claim areas, upgraded security doors and sprinklers, upgraded WiFi for passenger benefit, new sanitation and water fill stations, upgraded disinfection treatment within the HVAC system, an extended entrance canopy with an elongated curbside drop-off/pick-up area, an outdoor courtyard with tables, chairs, and planters, as well as solar panels and electrical passenger vehicle/equipment charging stations.

Ogdensburg Bridge & Port Authority Executive Director Steve Lawrence said the project is going to be huge for the city.

“The modernization of Ogdensburg International Airport marks a pivotal step forward in bolstering our regional infrastructure and enhancing the travel experience for residents and visitors alike. The innovative “adaptive terminal” model transforms the terminal into a multifunctional community asset- with a new “Great Room” building as its centerpiece. This project underscores the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority’s commitment to fostering economic growth and connectivity within our regional community. We are greatly appreciative of Governor Hochul, Assembly Member Gray, and Senator Walczyk for their unwavering support of this project,” he said.

Today’s announcement on the beginning of construction at Ogdensburg International Airport builds on a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation to support port improvement projects under the federal Port Infrastructure Development Program. The Port of Ogdensburg was recently awarded more than $5.1 million to expand its main dock terminal while making port enhancements to reduce choke points while increasing the size and number of vessels that can be docked simultaneously.

State representatives State Senator Mark Walczyk and Assemblymember Scott Gray praised the project along with St. Lawrence County Chairman David Forsythe.

“I would like to commend the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority (OBPA) leadership for applying and congratulate them on being awarded $18M for a transformative project that would convert the Ogdensburg International Airport into a regional hub for the North Country. Through their hard work and forward thinking, OBPA ensures that the Airport will be an economic engine that can contribute to the economy in St. Lawrence County for many years to come. This will provide a great benefit to county residents and our regional and international visitors. On behalf of the County, I would also like to thank the Governor for her creative approach to the Upstate Airport Economic Development & Revitalization Competition. The dedication of $230M across New York State will go a long way in making necessary improvements to airports and specifically help our Region stabilize air travel for the future,” Forsythe said.

Constructed in 1980, the Ogdensburg International Airport’s terminal handled as many as 26,921 enplanements a year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic but the facility lacks adequate space to comfortably handle the current passenger flow or accommodate the expected levels of growth in the coming years.