NEW ULM, MN – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) announced that he has secured $3.5 million in funding for the Mankato Regional Airport (MKT). This federal funding was awarded as a part of H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which included a Community Project Funding request submitted by Congressman Finstad on behalf of the City of Mankato. Senators Klobuchar and Smith both voted against the legislation. 

Currently, the Mankato Regional Airport has 101 based aircraft and conducts more than 126,000 annual flight operations, in addition to hosting Minnesota State University-Mankato’s aviation program. This funding will be used for the design and construction of a new air traffic control tower to ensure that the airport’s safety requirements and workforce needs are met given the increased volume of traffic at the airport and current shortages of aviation employees. 

“Over the past sixteen years, the Mankato Regional Airport has seen significant growth. This site is an important resource for south-central Minnesota, and I’m proud to help secure funding which will reinforce the airport’s safety and support the critical needs of the great folks who work there,” said Rep. Finstad. “It’s an honor to bring these federal dollars home to Mankato, delivering this critical investment which will result in necessary improvements that will benefit the many communities and residents that MKT serves across southern Minnesota.”