Elk City, OK — City officials, state leaders, and community members gathered at the Elk City Municipal Airport today to celebrate the ribbon cutting of a new aircraft hangar and terminal building, marking a major milestone in the city’s long term aviation and economic development efforts.
The project, years in the making, replaces a terminal building dating back to the 1960s and adds a modern hangar capable of housing jet aircraft. City Manager Tom Ivester said the vision for a jet capable facility had been discussed for years but stalled due to cost concerns and uncertainty over tenants.
“That was the conundrum for a long time,” Ivester said. “Do you build it without knowing who is going to be in it?”
That question was ultimately answered through a broader partnership that expanded the project beyond a single hangar. Discussions between city leaders, former Mayor and current State Representative Nick Archer, and the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics led to the addition of a new terminal, utilities, taxi lanes, and supporting infrastructure.
Ivester said the hangar is already seeing strong use, noting it was nearly three quarters full prior to the ribbon cutting, including multiple aircraft and a helicopter. He added that progress at the airport translates directly to progress for Elk City.
“This is what economic development looks like,” Ivester said. “It’s easy to overlook this airport when you drive by, but what happens here matters.”
Grayson Ardies, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, outlined how state investments in aviation infrastructure helped make the project possible. He said Elk City was one of the first rural communities to commit to a new terminal under a statewide effort to modernize airport facilities.
In total, more than $5.6 million was invested at the Elk City Municipal Airport, including hangar construction, a new terminal building, taxi lanes, and nearly a mile of new water and wastewater infrastructure. The state contributed just over $3 million, with the city covering the remainder.
“Not every community has the vision or the willingness to invest like this,” Ardies said. “Elk City is in the top tier of forward thinking aviation communities in Oklahoma.”
Mayor Micah Kilhoffer called the new facilities a symbol of progress and a gateway for future opportunity. He shared personal memories of growing up near the runway and said the airport has long been part of Elk City’s identity.
“This is more than a building,” Kilhoffer said. “It’s a commitment to the future of our city.”
State Representative Nick Archer emphasized that the project was completed without taking on debt, a point of pride for the city.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity that Elk City seized,” Archer said. “Route 66 has always been our front door, and now we have another front door for business and growth.”
State Senators Brent Howard and Darrell Weaver also spoke, highlighting the importance of aviation infrastructure in attracting business, supporting rural communities, and strengthening Oklahoma’s economy.
The ribbon cutting officially opens a terminal building expected to serve Elk City for the next 50 to 75 years, positioning the airport as a key asset for business travel, economic development, and future aviation growth across western Oklahoma.
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