This past week, I had the pleasure of visiting Grand Island for an exciting occasion: the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Central Nebraska Regional Airport’s new Snow Removal Equipment Building. It was a particularly special event to me because I fought to secure $3.15 million for this project in the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bills.
My team was proud to advocate for Hall County to receive this funding. Nebraskans send their hard-earned tax dollars to Washington, and those tax dollars should come back to our state — put to work on projects like this one that make a real, tangible difference in people’s daily lives.
Now, this building is more practical than it might sound to those unfamiliar with the demands of operating a Midwest airport. It will allow the airport to store, maintain, and repair its snow removal equipment fleet safely and efficiently. This will help the airport keep runways clear and flights on schedule through Nebraska winters.
The airport is also home to a Nebraska Army National Guard maintenance support facility, which houses the Army’s fleet of Chinook transport helicopters and OH-58 observation helicopters. Thanks to this project, both the airport and the National Guard will now have improved, reliable snow removal services readily available. This is a win for the entire installation.
This project also builds on the investments made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which I was proud to support in 2021. That legislation was designed with communities exactly like this one in mind: communities that do the work, plan for the future, and just need the federal government to be a reliable partner.
It has been truly remarkable to watch this airport grow over the years. What was once a modest regional hub has become a gateway for opportunity across the Heartland — and the numbers tell that story.
Last year marked the airport’s busiest year on record, with more than 75,000 enplanements. It closed out 2025 with its strongest December ever, welcoming over 7,400 passengers in a single month. That kind of momentum is the result of vision, hard work, and strong community leadership. The entire Grand Island community should be proud.
That is why it came as no surprise when the Grand Island Area Economic Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce named this airport Business of the Year. I was also happy to learn about the airport’s plans for a new self-storage facility, an expansion of its passenger terminal, and a second jet bridge.
None of this success happens on its own. Private sector partners – including Allegiant Air and American Airlines – deserve credit for their continued investment in Grand Island. This partnership is what connects Nebraskans to the rest of the country and brings new opportunities back home.
Airports like the Central Nebraska Regional Airport are engines of economic opportunity and community vitality. These connections are lifelines. They keep rural communities accessible, competitive, and open for business. They help attract employers, support tourism, and keep families connected across the miles. As a senior member of the Commerce Committee and member of the Appropriations Committee in the Senate, please know that I will continue fighting for our rural airports.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.