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OAOA Recognizes OCAP Recipients
SWO’s New Terminal Available in 2026
(Stillwater, OK) – Stillwater Regional Airport will enhance flight amenities and options in 2026 through a new 31,375 sq. ft. new terminal that is officially under construction following the groundbreaking ceremony October 1. Federal, state and local officials gathered, along with community leaders and representatives from the aviation community, Federal Aviation Administration and American Airlines to mark the occasion.
“We are elated to be celebrating this monumental development with everyone and for the opportunity to bring a world-class terminal to Stillwater,” Airport Director Kellie Reed said. “We extend our gratitude to American Airlines for eight years of commercial service in Stillwater and we look forward to many continued years of that partnership.”
American Airlines Senior Consultant, Government Affairs Dale Morris said American Airlines wants to see its eight-year partnership with Stillwater Regional Airport continue to grow. The airline wants to provide the right services for the passengers and to ensure OSU, the community and businesses continue to flourish, he said.
Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce addressed the project’s significance to the community and its impact on economic development. The new terminal is the product of many years of effort, he said. The larger terminal will allow Stillwater to increase flight operations and continue to grow the region from which travelers flying in and out of Stillwater Regional Airport are drawn.
Having commercial air service in Stillwater has a significant impact on business and on Oklahoma State University for recruiting staff and students. The new terminal will only enhance that impact, Joyce said.
“It’s hard to overstate how big of a game-changer this is for us,” he said. “We’re so excited and so appreciative of all those who have made an effort to make this happen and are continuing the effort.”
ODAA Director Grayson Ardies emphasized the project’s statewide impact. "The groundbreaking of Stillwater Regional Airport’s new terminal is a significant milestone for Oklahoma's aviation and aerospace industry as a whole,” Ardies said. “This 31,000-square-foot facility will not only support the growth of air transportation for Stillwater but also contribute to our statewide efforts to enhance connectivity and foster economic development. By investing in infrastructure like this, we're ensuring that Oklahoma remains at the forefront of aviation innovation, meeting the needs of travelers and businesses alike.”
OSU Senior Vice President of System Affairs Kyle Wray said Stillwater Regional Airport is critical not just for OSU’s fast-growing aviation program, but for accessibility for the university as it continues to grow and for OSU athletics.
Congressman Frank Lucas also touched on the connection between Stillwater Regional Airport and Oklahoma State University. The university, community and state will all benefit from continued growth and development of the airport, he said.
“Let us not forget, this is a continuing process to expand the potential of this community and of our comprehensive university,” Lucas said. “It’s not just the access to the world that our athletic department needs; it’s the access to the world that our research department needs. It’s the ability of people to come to Stillwater easily, conveniently and quickly to do their business.”
Funding for the $27 million project is provided from partners including the Federal Aviation Administration, the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, and the City of Stillwater.
Stillwater Regional Airport is one of only four airports in the state to offer scheduled commercial passenger air service. The new terminal replaces a building constructed in 1952 that was retrofitted for the launch of commercial air service in 2016.
Offering modern facilities with concession space and two gates, the new terminal will serve Stillwater and the surrounding region for decades to come.
“The (new) terminal was beautifully and mindfully designed with both aviation and local Stillwater influences included from the McFarland Architects team,” Reed said.
Phase I of the project consists of the new terminal building, parking lot, and a 4-lane drop off. Further roadway improvements will be in Phase II. Completion of the terminal is expected in August 2026.
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Left to right: Pistol Pete; American Airlines Senior Consultant, Government Affairs Dale Morris; Stillwater Regional Airport Director Kellie Reed; Congressman Frank Lucas; Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce; Oklahoma State University Senior Vice President of System Affairs Kyle Wray; Stillwater Vice Mayor Amy Dzialowski; Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Executive Director Grayson Ardies; and Payne County Commissioner Zach Cavett. |
Additional event pictures are available at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBKSA9.
Oklahoma Unveils Strategy to Capture Share of Booming Space Economy
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA), alongside the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA), today released a statewide strategy to grow Oklahoma’s role in the fast-expanding space industry and position the state to compete for jobs, investment, and federal contracts as the global space economy nearly triples over the next decade. The strategy was announced by Governor Kevin Stitt during the Oklahoma Breakfast ahead of the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow.
“We’re going to be top 10 in everything we do,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “We’ve been building the backbone of the aerospace industry and we do it better than anyone else. By seizing this moment, we are creating generations of quality, good-paying jobs for our kids and grandkids. This is a critical moment, and we are prepared to take it.”
The global space economy is worth $630 billion and is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035. States that build a coordinated plan now stand to capture the lion’s share of that growth: the jobs, companies, and tax revenue that come with it. Oklahoma’s Space Advantage Strategy is designed to make sure Oklahoma is one of them.
Oklahoma Has the Foundation
“Oklahoma isn’t starting from scratch. We’re building our legacy and creating the next aerospace frontier right here in the heartland,” said Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell. “Aerospace and defense is already the state’s second-largest and fastest-growing industry, supporting more than 120,000 jobs and $44 billion in annual economic activity. This strategy will ensure Oklahoma continues to be at the leading edge of aerospace innovation and technology for decades to come.”
Oklahoma is home to the first-ever FAA-licensed inland commercial spaceport, the FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, and the two largest aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) operations in the world: Tinker Air Force Base, the largest military air depot in the country, and American Airlines’ Tulsa base, the largest commercial MRO facility on Earth. The state also has a deep advanced manufacturing base that includes companies ranging from fewer than 10 employees to more than 1,500.
ODAA Executive Director Grayson Ardies said, “Rather than competing with coastal launch hubs, Oklahoma is doubling down on where it already wins: testing and certifying space hardware, propulsion technology, microgravity research, high-volume advanced manufacturing, and MRO for reusable spacecraft. Leaning on our existing strengths within the broader aerospace ecosystem, these focus areas will allow Oklahoma’s space story to succeed over the next decade.”
Oklahoma Is Already Winning
This strategy is not a bet on the future. It is already delivering results. Agile Space and Dawn Aerospace are building operations in Oklahoma, and Quantum Space, led by former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, recently chose Tulsa as the site of its new manufacturing facility. These wins demonstrate Oklahoma’s momentum and provide a foundation for attracting more companies, contracts, and investment.
“Economic development is about creating an environment where innovative companies can thrive,” said Oklahoma Department of Commerce CEO John Budd. “By combining a pro-business climate with performance-based incentives and strong partnerships, Oklahoma has already attracted leaders in the space industry. This strategy builds on that foundation and positions our state to compete for even more jobs, investment, and groundbreaking technologies.”
A Simple, Low-Cost Framework
At the center of the plan is the establishment of the Oklahoma Advanced Space Innovation Sector, or OASIS, which would operate within ODAA/OSIDA by using existing state resources and networks. OASIS is not a new agency or a big-spending program. It is an organizing framework that connects the state’s three aerospace hubs: Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and the Infinity One Spaceport in western Oklahoma. The framework is designed to align public investment, workforce training, research, and private-industry growth around a shared statewide strategy.
Why It Matters for Every Part of Oklahoma
While the anchor companies will cluster around Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Infinity One, the strategy is designed so the resulting jobs do not remain confined to those hubs. Component manufacturers, machine shops, and parts suppliers that support the space industry can be located throughout the state. They need affordable land, reliable utilities, access to a trained workforce supported by CareerTech and universities, and a mindset to solve the space industry’s challenges. These strengths exist in every region of the state, which means all of Oklahoma stands to gain real, direct jobs from this strategy, not just the metro areas.
Fiscal Discipline and Accountability
Oklahoma’s Space Advantage emphasizes phased implementation, measurable results, and accountability. Incentives from state and local economic development organizations would be tied to milestones such as job creation, private investment, contracts secured, or operational performance. The approach is designed to coordinate existing resources and attract federal and private capital alongside state appropriations rather than depend solely on large state investments.
The strategy also aligns Oklahoma with the priorities of the U.S. Department of War, the U.S. Space Force, and NASA, which are increasing their demands for the kind of testing, research, manufacturing, and sustainment work Oklahoma is known for through decades of work in traditional aviation and national defense.
The full Oklahoma’s Space Advantage strategy is available here.
