Hector International Airport

Fargo, North Dakota

Proposal Under the Small Community Air Service 

Development Program

Docket DOT-OST-2010-0124

Dun & Bradstreet DUNS Number 116119731

Two Digit Congressional District Code: None (At Large Representation)
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTORY LETTER .................................................................................. 4

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...................................................................................... 5

AIR SERVICE OVERVIEW................................................................................... 6

Catchment Area ..................................................................................................................................................... 6

Other Commercial Airport Locations in the Region ............................................................................................... 7

Leakage.................................................................................................................................................................. 8

Routes Served from Fargo..................................................................................................................................... 9

November 2010 Frequencies by Carrier and Market...........................................................................................10

Air Service Development Efforts ..........................................................................................................................10

Airport Marketing and Promotion .........................................................................................................................11

AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AND DEFICIENCIES ......................... 12

Capacity and Traffic Growth.................................................................................................................................12

Fare Trends..........................................................................................................................................................14

STRATEGIC PLAN ............................................................................................ 16

Goals ....................................................................................................................................................................16

Target Airline Support ..........................................................................................................................................16

Fargo-Dallas/Ft. Worth Traffic and Revenue .......................................................................................................17

Largest Dallas/Ft. Worth Market Under 1,000 Miles without Nonstop Service....................................................19

Connecting Traffic and Revenue Via American's Dallas/Ft. Worth Hub..............................................................20

Proposed Schedule..............................................................................................................................................22

Alternate Strategies..............................................................................................................................................22

PROJECT FUNDING, IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING ....................... 23

Public / Private Partnerships ................................................................................................................................23

Project Funding ....................................................................................................................................................24

Implementation Timeline......................................................................................................................................25

Start-Up Period and Sustainability of the Market.................................................................................................26

PROJECT MONITORING AND FINANCIAL CONTROL.................................... 27

Success Metrics ...................................................................................................................................................27

Legal Sponsor......................................................................................................................................................27

Financial Controls ................................................................................................................................................28

Expiration of Grant Funding Prior to Self Sustainability.......................................................................................28
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

3

APPENDIX A: REQUIRED SUMMARY INFORMATION................................... 29

A. Applicant Information....................................................................................................................................29

B. Public/Private Partnerships ..........................................................................................................................29

C. Project Proposal ...........................................................................................................................................29

D. Existing Landing Aids at Local Airport ..........................................................................................................30

E. Project Cost ..................................................................................................................................................30

F. Enplanements...............................................................................................................................................30

G. Is this application subject to review by state under Executive Order 12372 Process? ................................30

H. Is this applicant delinquent on any federal debt? .........................................................................................31

APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY BACKGROUND.................................................. 32

Airport Information................................................................................................................................................32

The Cities of Fargo and Moorhead ......................................................................................................................33

Economic Overview .............................................................................................................................................33

Higher Education..................................................................................................................................................38

Points of Interest ..................................................................................................................................................40
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

4

INTRODUCTORY LETTER
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

5

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Fargo Hector International Airport is proposing a Small Community Air Service Development Grant in the amount 

of $750,000 to supplement community and airport funding totaling $291,899 to provide a minimum revenue 

guarantee for one roundtrip between Fargo and Dallas/Ft. Worth on 50-seat regional jets operated by American 

Eagle.

Fargo is an isolated market with an immediate catchment area serving a population of 220,782 residents and an 

extended catchment area – up to a two hour drive time from the airport – with a population of 591,890 residents. 

Fargo immediate and extended catchment area includes parts of Eastern North Dakota, Northeastern South 

Dakota and West Central Minnesota. It is not uncommon for residents of Southern Manitoba in Canada to use air

service at Fargo Hector International Airport.

Network carriers serving Fargo include American/American Eagle with service to Chicago, Delta/Delta connection 

to Minneapolis/St. Paul and Salt Lake City, and United/United Express to Chicago and Denver. Frontier began 

service in the Fargo market in May 2008, but exited the market in February 2010. Frontier's service was 

important to the community because Frontier was the only low-cost carrier in the market, and Frontier's pricing 

structure brought the only real competitive network carrier pricing to the market. Allegiant Air also serves Fargo 

with service to Las Vegas, Mesa/Phoenix, Los Angeles and Sanford/Orlando, but Allegiant caters to outbound 

leisure travelers and operates only point-to-point service without connectivity to a larger network.

Although Fargo's average domestic ex-Allegiant fare declined in the year-end first quarter 2010 from $225 to $191 

each way, analysis of quarterly data over the last year indicates Fargo fares are trending back up. After declining 

to a low of $180 each way in second quarter 2009, the average one-way fare increased to $199 in first quarter 

2010. 

Dallas/Ft. Worth is Fargo's third largest ex-Allegiant market American Eagle could serve with nonstop FargoDallas/Ft. Worth service with 18.0 PDEW at an average fare of $176 each way in the year-end first quarter 2010. 

Quarterly data indicates the Fargo-Dallas/Ft. Worth market size increased from 13.4 PDEW in first quarter 2009 

to 17.7 PDEW in first quarter 2010 while the average fare declined from $197 to $176 over the same period.

From American Eagle's perspective at its Dallas/Ft. Worth hub, Fargo is the largest market under 1,000 miles 

from Dallas/Ft. Worth without nonstop service from Dallas/Ft. Worth.

American's hub in Dallas/Ft. Worth would provide connectivity to at least 97 destinations American and American 

Eagle serve nonstop from Dallas/Ft. Worth and the 30 largest Fargo markets American Eagle could serve via 

Dallas/Ft. Worth generated 229 PDEW at an average fare of $194 in the year-end first quarter 2010. 
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

6

AIR SERVICE OVERVIEW

Catchment Area

Fargo Hector

International Airport is the primary airport serving Southeastern North Dakota and West Central Minnesota. 

220,782 residents live within a one hour drive of the airport, and 591,800 residents live within a two hour drive of 

the airport (Exhibit 1).

Exhibit 1: One and Two Hour Drive Time Catchment Areas of Fargo Hector International Airport
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

7

Other Commercial Airport Locations in the Region

Fargo Hector International Airport is the primary airport for travelers in the Fargo area (Exhibit 2). The airports in 

Bismarck, Jamestown and Grand Forks have less service than Fargo, while Sioux Falls, located 243 miles to the 

south, has slightly more capacity Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport is located 255 miles from Fargo and 

serves as Hector International Airport's primary competitive airport. Delta operates a large hub in Minneapolis/St. 

Paul with nonstop service at lower fares in Fargo's largest origin and destination markets.

Exhibit 2: Location of Fargo Hector International Airport Relative to Other Airports in the Region, Distances and Drive Times 

from Fargo to Other Airports
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

8

Leakage

Fargo Hector International Airport retains 75.5% of the traffic in its catchment area, but 14.3% of the traffic is lost 

to Minneapolis/St. Paul, a four hour drive 255 miles from Fargo. Other commercial airports in the region are 

located in Bismarck, Jamestown, Grand Forks and Sioux Falls; however, traffic lost to these airports is 

fragmented and collectively capture the remaining 10.2% of Fargo's traffic (Exhibit 3).

Exhibit 3: Fargo Catchment Area Traffic Captured by Fargo Hector International Airport and Airports Surrounding Fargo

75.5%

5.3%

14.3%

0.5%

1.7%

1.9%
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

9

Routes Served from Fargo

Fargo is served by three legacy carriers and by Allegiant Air. Legacy carrier service is operated by Delta/Delta 

Connection to Minneapolis/St. Paul and Denver; United/United Express to Chicago O'Hare and Denver and by 

American/American Eagle to Chicago O'Hare (Exhibit 4). Not illustrated on the map below are Allegiant's routes 

to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Mesa/Phoenix, Sanford/Orlando and St. Petersburg/Tampa. It should be noted that 

Frontier Airlines exited the Fargo market in early 2010, and fares are expected to rise as a result. As a low-cost 

carrier, Frontier's presence in the market kept downward pressure on Fargo fares.

Exhibit 4: Legacy Carrier Routes Operated from Fargo Hector International Airport
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

10

November 2010 Frequencies by Carrier and Market

The network carriers serving Fargo will operate a total of 18 5/7 departures per day in November 2010. 

American/American Eagle will operate three daily flights to Chicago on 50-seat regional jets, Delta will operate 6 

4/7 flights to Minneapolis/St. Paul with a mix of regional jets and mainline aircraft and two daily 70-seat regional 

jet flights to Salt Lake City. United will operate 3 1/7 flights per day to Denver and four daily flights to Chicago –

all on 50-seat regional jets (Exhibit 5).

Exhibit 5: Fargo Legacy Carrier Departures per Day, Seats per Departure and Seats per Day – November 2010

Air Service Development Efforts

Fargo Hector International Airport meets with both incumbent and prospective airlines on a regular basis. Over 

the last year, the Airport has met with Air Canada, AirTran, Alaska, Allegiant, American, American Eagle, Delta, 

ExpressJet, Frontier, SkyWest, Southwest, United and WestJet.

Carrier Destination

Departures 

per Day

Seats per 

Departure

Seats 

per Day

American ORD 3 50 150

Total 3 50 150

Delta MSP 6 4/7 87 571

SLC 2 70 140

Total 8 4/7 83 711

United DEN 3 1/7 50 155

ORD 4 50 200

Total 7 1/7 50 355

18 5/7 65 1,216
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

11

Airport Marketing and Promotion

In addition to meeting with airlines to promote the attribute of the community and highlight the success of carriers 

serving Fargo, Fargo Hector International Airport also markets airport's existing service to travelers in the 

catchment area. The Airport's marketing efforts include print, radio and television advertising to increase both 

overall awareness of the airport and the convenience of the airport and targeted marketing for specific airline 

and/or destination (Exhibits 7 and 8).

Exhibit 6 – Airport Awareness and Convenience Print Advertising 

 

Exhibit 7: Airline and Destination-Specific Print Advertising

 
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

12

AIR SERVICE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS AND DEFICIENCIES

Capacity and Traffic Growth

Fargo's ex-Allegiant capacity has trended up over the last ten years to 1,149 seats per day each way in the yearend first quarter 2010. Ex-Allegiant traffic growth has also trended up with over the last ten years to 767 domestic 

and international PDEW (Exhibit 8)

Exhibit 8: Ex-Allegiant Seats per Day Each Way and Domestic and International PDEW at Fargo Hector International Airport –

Year-End First Quarter 2001-2010 (T-100 and DB1B data)

930

836

1,051 1,064 1,049

1,133

1,181

1,045

1,128 1,149

617

570

637

661

703

747

780

736

759 767

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

1,300

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Seats and Passengers per Day Each Way

Seats per Day Each Way (Ex-Allegiant) Domestic & International PDEW (Ex-Allegiant)
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

13

Examination of quarterly ex-Allegiant capacity and traffic data indicates first quarter 2010 capacity came in slightly 

higher than first quarter 2009 capacity, and Fargo generated 64 more PDEW in first quarter 2010 than it 

generated in first quarter 2009 (Exhibit 9).

Exhibit 9: Ex-Allegiant Seats per Day Each Way and Domestic and International PDEW at Fargo Hector International Airport –

Quarterly Data -- First Quarter 2008 through First Quarter 2009 (T-100 and DB1B data)

990

1,142 1,154 1,147

1,070

1,172

1,222

1,105 1,095

723

781

824

719 710 697

840

758 774

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

1,300

2008-Q1 2008-Q2 2008-Q3 2008-Q4 2009-Q1 2009-Q2 2009-Q3 2009-Q4 2010-Q1

Seats and Passengers per Day Each Way

Seats per Day Each Way (Ex-Allegiant) Domestic & International PDEW (Ex-Allegiant)
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

14

Fare Trends

Fargo's average domestic ex-Allegiant one-way fare fell below $200 for the first time in the year-end first quarter 

2010, but still stood at $191 when the average domestic one-way fare among lower 48 airports was $143. 

Furthermore, although Fargo's average fare declined $34 from $225 in the year-end first quarter 2009 to $191, 

domestic traffic increased by only 16 PDEW (Exhibit 10).

Exhibit 10: Ex-Allegiant Seats per Day Each Way, Domestic PDEW and Average Domestic Fare at Fargo Hector International 

Airport – Year-End First Quarter 2001-2010 (DOT T-100 and DB1B data)

930

836

1,051 1,064 1,049

1,133

1,181

1,045

1,128 1,149

587

544

607 628

663

701

730

678 698 714

$194

$188

$173 $173

$182

$191

$205

$229 $225

$191

$100

$125

$150

$175

$200

$225

$250

$275

$300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

1,300

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Average Fare

Seats and Passengers per Day Each Way

Seats per Day Each Way (Ex-Allegiant) Domestic PDEW (Ex-Allegiant) One-Way Domestic Fare (Ex-Allegiant)
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

15

Although Fargo's average ex-Allegiant domestic one-way fare in the year-end first quarter 2010 declined yearover-year from $225 to $191, the one-way domestic fare is trending back up from a two-year low of $180 in 

second quarter 2009 to an average of $199 in first quarter 2010 (Exhibit 11).

Exhibit 11: Ex-Allegiant Seats per Day Each Way and Average Domestic Fare at Fargo Hector International Airport - Quarterly 

Data – First Quarter 2008 through First Quarter 2010 (DOT T-100 and DB1B data)

 

990

1,142 1,154 1,147

1,070

1,172

1,222

1,105 1,095

645

723

775

676

619

651

790

717

694

$245

$234 $238

$212 $212

$197

$180

$189

$199

$100

$125

$150

$175

$200

$225

$250

$275

$300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

1,100

1,200

1,300

2008-Q1 2008-Q2 2008-Q3 2008-Q4 2009-Q1 2009-Q2 2009-Q3 2009-Q4 2010-Q1

Average Fare

Seats and Passengers per Day Each Way

Seats per Day Each Way (Ex-Allegiant) Domestic PDEW (Ex-Allegiant) One-Way Domestic Fare (Ex-Allegiant)
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

16

STRATEGIC PLAN

Goals

Fargo has three goals for its Small Community Air Service Development Grant proposal for service to Dallas/Ft. 

Worth on American Eagle:

 Nonstop service from Fargo to Dallas/Ft. Worth

 Lower fares in the markets served via Dallas/Ft. Worth

 Market size growth in markets served via Dallas/Ft. Worth 

Target Airline Support

American Eagle has expressed some interest in operating the proposed service from Fargo to Dallas/Ft. Worth. 

As a matter of policy, American Eagle does not write letters of support for proposals under the Small Community 

Air Service Development Program and would not make an exception to its policy in this case. Based on 

discussions in September 2009, when the Airport negotiated incentives for American Eagle service to Chicago, 

the Airport believes a minimum revenue guarantee, marketing incentives and fee waivers will be necessary for 

American Eagle to begin service in the Fargo-Dallas/Ft. Worth market.
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

17

Fargo-Dallas/Ft. Worth Traffic and Revenue

As the average fare has trended down, the Fargo-Dallas/Ft. Worth market size has trended up over the last ten 

years to a new high of 18.0 PDEW in year-end first quarter 2010 (Exhibit 12). Market size growth, even without 

the benefit of nonstop service, indicates a strong demand environment for the service, and the introduction of 

nonstop service would likely increase the size of the market even further. The nonstop service would also likely 

drive the average fare down.

Exhibit 12: Fargo-Dallas/Ft. Worth PDEW and Average Fare – Year-End First Quarter (DB1B data)

13.0

10.1

13.1

12.2

13.6

15.3 15.7

13.4

17.4

18.0

$226

$211

$194 $199

$223

$204 $210

$229

$217

$176

$0

$50

$100

$150

$200

$250

$300

0

5

10

15

20

25

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Average One-Way Fare

Passengers per Day Each Way (PDEW)

DFW-FAR PDEW DFW-FAR Average Fare
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

18

Quarterly data, as illustrated in Exhibit 13, is encouraging and should peak American Eagle's interest because 

traffic increased in first quarter 2010 to 17.7 PDEW versus 13.4 PDEW in 2009 and 12.5 PDEW in 2008. The 

market size grew 31.4% from first quarter 2009 to 2010, but the fare declined only $15, or 7.9%.

Exhibit 13: Fargo – Dallas/Ft. Worth PDEW and Average Fare – Quarterly Data – First Quarter 2008 through First Quarter 

2010 (DB1B data)

12.5

19.7

17.7

18.7

13.4

15.6

20.5

18.0 17.7

$244

$220

$241

$204 $197

$208

$142

$182 $182

$0

$50

$100

$150

$200

$250

$300

0

5

10

15

20

25

2008-Q1 2008-Q2 2008-Q3 2008-Q4 2009-Q1 2009-Q2 2009-Q3 2009-Q4 2010-Q1

Average One-Way Fare

Passengers per Day Each Way (PDEW)

DFW-FAR PDEW DFW-FAR Average Fare
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

19

Largest Dallas/Ft. Worth Market Under 1,000 Miles without Nonstop Service

With a market size of 18 PDEW, Fargo is the largest Dallas/Ft. Worth market under 1,000 miles from Dallas/Ft. 

Worth without nonstop service (Exhibit 14). The 1,000 mile perimeter is an important distinction for markets with 

and without service to a hub because it is generally considered to be the maximum economical distance a 44-seat 

regional jet can operate without significant payload restrictions in a market with relatively high yields. American 

Eagle recently began Dallas/Ft. Worth service to Sioux Falls and Augusta, markets with less traffic than Fargo, 

but slightly shorter distances. Dallas/Ft. Worth-Sioux Falls generated 16 PDEW (737 miles), and Augusta 

generated 14 PDEW (874 miles) .

Exhibit 14: Dallas/Ft. Worth Market Size, Revenue Data, Distance, Nonstop Service Indicator and Equipment Type Indicator 

in Markets Less than 1,000 Miles from Dallas/Ft. Worth – Year-End First Quarter 2010 (DB1B Data)

Rank Market PDEW Fare Yield Revenue per Day 

Each Way Distance Nonstop DFW Service

Mainline or 

Regional

1 GPT 20 $180 $0.361 $3,563 500 Yes Regional

2 BRO 20 $116 $0.242 $2,284 482 Yes Regional

3 RAP 18 $163 $0.196 $2,959 835 Yes Regional

4 FAR 18 $176 $0.182 $3,161 967 No N/A

5 ASE 17 $181 $0.258 $3,125 701 No N/A

6 HDN 17 $142 $0.185 $2,404 769 Yes (Seasonal) Mainline

7 DRO 16 $154 $0.228 $2,518 674 No N/A

8 SBN 16 $185 $0.219 $3,028 846 No N/A

9 TRI 16 $179 $0.206 $2,867 868 No N/A

10 FSD 16 $235 $0.319 $3,724 737 Yes Regional

11 SRQ 15 $138 $0.146 $2,125 945 No N/A

12 BMI 15 $167 $0.242 $2,523 690 Yes Regional

13 EVV 15 $184 $0.287 $2,754 642 Yes Regional

14 ABI 15 $96 $0.606 $1,400 158 Yes Regional

15 SHV 14 $172 $0.905 $2,482 190 Yes Regional

16 AGS 14 $173 $0.198 $2,476 874 Yes Regional

17 GUC 14 $140 $0.207 $2,003 678 Yes (Seasonal) Mainline

18 MTJ 14 $154 $0.213 $2,129 722 Yes Regional

19 CRW 14 $208 $0.220 $2,869 946 No N/A

20 CWA 14 $128 $0.140 $1,744 911 No N/A
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

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Connecting Traffic and Revenue Via American's Dallas/Ft. Worth Hub

Service connecting Fargo to American's Dallas/Ft. Worth hub would connect Fargo with at least 97 markets 

American serves from Dallas/Ft. Worth, primarily in the Texas, the Southwest, Southeast, Mexico and other 

destinations in Latin America (Exhibit 15). 

Exhibit 15: Non-Circuitous Markets American Could Serve with Fargo-Dallas/Ft. Worth Service (based on circuity not greater 

than 67%)
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

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As illustrated in Exhibit 16, the largest markets American could flow via Dallas/Ft. Worth are Phoenix, Los 

Angeles, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Orlando and Atlanta. Excluding Allegiant Air data, the 30 largest markets American 

could flow via Dallas/Ft. Worth generated 229 PDEW at an average fare of $194 in the year-end first quarter 

2010. Many of the markets served by American via Dallas/Ft. Worth are currently not served with a single 

connection via hubs currently served from Fargo.

Exhibit 16: Ex-Allegiant Annual O&D Passengers, PDEW and Average One-Way Fares in the 30 Largest Markets American

Could Serve with Fargo-Dallas/Ft. Worth Service – Year-End First Quarter 2010 Data (DB1B data)

Rank Market

Annual O&D 

Passengers PDEW

Average 

One-Way Fare Annual Revenue

1 PHX/AZA 20,690 28.3 $148 3,055,870

2 LAX/SNA/ONT/BUR/LGB 18,670 25.6 $179 3,346,990

3 DFW/DAL 13,120 18.0 $176 2,314,290

4 MCO/SFB 11,860 16.2 $176 2,085,740

5 ATL 11,750 16.1 $190 2,237,910

6 SAN 10,270 14.1 $168 1,728,030

7 IAH/HOU 8,660 11.9 $191 1,653,330

8 MIA/FLL/PBI 8,200 11.2 $223 1,831,350

9 CUN 5,360 7.3 $255 1,366,810

10 SAT 5,360 7.3 $190 1,016,310

11 TPA/PIE 5,070 6.9 $191 969,370

12 AUS 4,390 6.0 $183 803,100

13 RSW 4,340 5.9 $186 808,370

14 TUS 4,290 5.9 $156 667,620

15 HNL 4,010 5.5 $342 1,371,930

16 ABQ 3,970 5.4 $164 652,820

17 MEM 3,620 5.0 $194 701,230

18 MSY 2,900 4.0 $259 750,880

19 CLT 2,540 3.5 $262 665,600

20 OKC 2,470 3.4 $240 591,610

21 TUL 2,300 3.2 $163 374,290

22 ELP 2,200 3.0 $151 331,240

23 OGG 1,920 2.6 $348 667,550

24 SJD 1,640 2.2 $276 452,950

25 MBJ 1,480 2.0 $318 470,920

26 PVR 1,420 1.9 $249 354,240

27 PSP 1,380 1.9 $235 324,360

28 JAX 1,310 1.8 $210 274,980

29 CAE 1,160 1.6 $346 401,440

30 MFE/HRL/BRO 1,100 1.5 $213 234,160

30 Largest Markets 167,450 229.4 $194 32,505,290
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

22

Proposed Schedule

Fargo Hector International Airport proposes a one roundtrip schedule timed to capture flow traffic from markets 

east, west and south of Dallas/Ft. Worth. A single roundtrip in the market operated as an early morning departure 

from Fargo and an early evening departure from Dallas/Ft. Worth (Exhibit 17) would maximize connecting traffic 

and compliment American Eagle's existing Fargo-Chicago service with one-connection service in markets not 

served by American nonstop from Chicago.

Exhibit 17: Proposed American Eagle Fargo-Dallas/Ft. Worth Schedules

Alternate Strategies

If a Small Community Air Service Development Grant were awarded to Fargo Hector International Airport, and the 

Airport were not successful in securing American Eagle service to Dallas/Ft. Worth, the Airport would like to the 

ability to use grant funding to pursue service on SkyWest Airlines for service to Milwaukee on the AirTran code. 

SkyWest service from Fargo feeding AirTran flights in Milwaukee would likely stimulate traffic in markets served 

by AirTran from Milwaukee. As a low-cost carrier, AirTran's pricing strategy in connecting markets via Milwaukee 

would likely stimulate Fargo's origin and destination markets served by AirTran via Milwaukee.

Fargo to Dallas/Ft. Worth (967 Miles)

Depart Arrive Block Aircraft

6:00AM 8:35AM 2:35 ERJ

Dallas/Ft. Worth to Fargo (967 Miles)

Depart Arrive Block Aircraft

5:55PM 8:30PM 2:35 ERJ
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

23

PROJECT FUNDING, IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING

Public / Private Partnerships

Greater Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation

The Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation (GFMEDC) supports business development, 

growth, and diversification to improve the quality of life in Cass County, North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota

communities. GFMEDC's goals are to grow employment opportunities, population, and tax base to strategically 

position communities and businesses to better compete in the global economy, to facilitate the creation of highpaying jobs for our largely underemployed workforce, and to retain graduates of our higher education institutions. 

Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau promotes Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota as 

a destination for visitors, tour groups, business travel, conventions, sporting events and trade shows. The FMCVB 

promotes and markets everything the community has to offer: excellent, affordable lodging, over 300 restaurants, 

shopping, great golf, unique attractions, year-round festivals, concerts, theatre and entertainment.

Chamber of Commerce of Fargo-Moorhead and West Fargo

The Chamber of Commerce of Fargo Moorhead and West Fargo is a regional federation of 1,800 private, public 

and non-profit member firms that collectively employ more than 89,000 people. The chamber has members in 

twenty Minnesota communities, twenty North Dakota communities, South Dakota, Manitoba and beyond. The 

mission of the Chamber is to unify and advance business and community interests in the region.
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

24

Project Funding

In addition to the Small Community Air Service Development Grant of $750,000 requested from the Department, 

the Greater Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation is willing to provide cash of $109,589 to 

American Eagle for reimbursement of airport expenses and fees incurred during the first year of service to 

Dallas/Ft. Worth. In-kind community funding is valued at $107,310 and will be provided by discounting six crew 

hotel rooms per night by $49 to a nightly rate of $50 for one year at the Ramada Plaza and Suites.

Fargo Hector International Airport will provide cash of $75,000 to the project to market Dallas/Ft. Worth service. 

The total value of cash and in-kind contributions from the community and the Airport is valued at $291,899 or 28% 

of total project (Exhibit 18).

Exhibit 18: Sources and Types of Program Funding 

Grant Cash In-Kind Total

Department of Transportation $750,000 $750,000

Community $109,589 $107,310 $216,899

Airport $75,000 $75,000

Total $750,000 $184,589 $107,310 $1,041,899
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

25

Implementation Timeline

Our proposed implementation timeline for the project, as shown in Exhibit 19, assumes the Department will award 

Small Community Grant Funding in December 2010. In addition to a dependency on the award announcement, 

the timeline is highly dependent on successfully negotiating an agreement for American Eagle to begin service in 

the Fargo-Dallas/Ft. Worth market. Delays in negotiating the agreement or the start-up date of the service will 

cause shifts in implementing the tasks on the project timeline.

Once the award is announced, Fargo Hector International Airport will begin discussions with American to begin 

service. Based on airline planning lead times and the need for advance bookings, we assume American would 

not be able to begin service until at least June 2011. The first two milestones on the Airport's timeline are to 

execute the grant agreement with the Department and the minimum revenue guarantee agreement with 

American. Once service is announced and schedules are published, the Airport would begin marketing the new 

route and working with American to monitor advance bookings. The Airport will continue its marketing program 

and continue to work with American to monitor the route once service begins. The Airport will submit grant status 

reports on a quarterly basis to the Department throughout the proposed two year term of the minimum revenue 

guarantee.

Exhibit 19: Proposed Project Timeline (assumes grant announcements in December 2010 and service launch in June 2011)

Activity/Project Milestone Estimated Dates

SCASD Grant Award Announcement December 2010

Execute Grant Agreement with DOT January 2011

Negotiate Minimum Revenue Guarantee with Airline January 2011

Announce Service February 2011

Publish Schedule February 2011

Market Route (Pre-Launch) March-May 2011

Monitor Advance Bookings March-May 2011

Begin Service June 2011

Market Route (Post-Launch) June 2011 and Beyond

Operate Service with MRG June 2011 - May 2013

Monitor Route Performance June 2011 - May 2013 and Beyond

Submit Grant Status Reports to DOT Quarterly 2Q 2011 - 2Q 2013
 

 

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Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

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Start-Up Period and Sustainability of the Market

The Airport will aggressively market the new service to business and leisure travelers in the catchment area. A

benefit of beginning service in June 2011 is to capture the peak of traffic seasonality in the U.S. domestic and

international air travel market. Beginning service in the summer will provide a strong start for the service and 

provide two-and-a-half to three months to build business traffic in the market before leisure traffic demand falls in 

mid-August to early September. Business travel will become more important for the success of the route as 

leisure travel declines in the Fall. The Airport expects the route to be self-sustaining within the first two years of 

service and will include Dallas/Ft. Worth as part of its on-going marketing and promotional campaigns of the 

airport.
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

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PROJECT MONITORING AND FINANCIAL CONTROL

Success Metrics

The success of the program will be based on achieving the goals of the program. The Airport will continuously 

monitor the performance of the route. Even before service begins, the Airport will communicate with American

Eagle on a regular basis to monitor advance bookings and week-over-week of advance bookings. Marketing and 

promotional activities can be adjusted if advance bookings are weak or are not booking at a rate comparable to 

other American Eagle Dallas/Ft. Worth markets.

Project Goals Success Metric

 Nonstop service from Fargo to Dallas/Ft. Worth  American Eagle launches Fargo-Dallas/Ft. Worth 

service

 Lower fares in the markets served via Dallas/Ft. 

Worth

 Lower quarterly year-over-year average fares in 

the markets American serves via Dallas/Ft. Worth

 Market size growth in markets served via 

Dallas/Ft. Worth

 Quarterly year-over-year traffic growth in the 

markets American serves via Dallas/Ft. Worth

Once service begins, the Airport will rely on traffic and revenue data provided directly by the airline and the 

amount of reimbursements requested by the airline as indications of project success. T-100 data and DB1B data 

will also be analyzed to compare year-over-year market size growth on a quarterly basis. In addition, the airport 

will analyze leakage once the service has operated for a full year to determine the trend in leakage to other 

airports. The Airport will report its success metrics in the quarterly grant reports to the Department. 

Legal Sponsor

The Municipal Airport Authority of the City of Fargo is the legal sponsor responsible for administering the program 

and is a government entity.

Municipal Airport Authority of the City of Fargo

P. O. Box 2845

Fargo, ND 58108

Shawn A. Dobberstein, Executive Director

701-241-1501
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

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Financial Controls

As the sponsor, the Municipal Airport Authority of the City of Fargo and its governing body, the Municipal Airport 

Authority board, will be the responsible parties for all fiscal matters and the Department's reporting requirements. 

The Municipal Airport Authority of the City of Fargo is established as a public governing body. As a public entity,

the Department can be assured that proper financial controls are in place to guarantee that the Department’s 

Grant will be used in accordance with any subsequent agreement. The Municipal Airport Authority of the City of 

Fargo understands that the grant is a reimbursable grant, meaning the Authority is responsible for program 

expenditures and will submit invoices to the Department for reimbursement, based on a percentage of the total 

grant request.

Expiration of Grant Funding Prior to Self Sustainability

Given the market size growth of the Fargo-Dallas/Ft. Worth market over the last ten years and over the last year, 

coupled with the breadth and the depth of markets American and American Eagle serve from Dallas/Ft. Worth, 

the service proposed in this application is anticipated to be successful.
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

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APPENDIX A: REQUIRED SUMMARY INFORMATION

A. Applicant Information

 Not a Consortium

 Interstate Consortium

 Intrastate Consortium

 Community now receives EAS subsidy

 Community (or Consortium member) previously received a Small Community Grant

If previous recipient:

Date of Grant: September 12, 2005

Expiration Date of Grant: September 12, 2008

B. Public/Private Partnerships

Public

Municipal Airport Authority of the City of Fargo

Private

Greater Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation

Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau

Chamber of Commerce of Fargo-Moorhead and West Fargo

Ramada Plaza and Suites

C. Project Proposal 

 Marketing Upgrade Aircraft New Route

 Personnel Increase Frequency Low Fare Service

 Travel Bank Service Restoration Subsidy

 Surface Transportation Regional Service Other (specify)

 Revenue Guarantee Launch New Service

 Start-Up Cost Offset First Service

 Study Secure Additional Carrier
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

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D. Existing Landing Aids at Local Airport

 Full ILS Outer/Middle Marker Published Instrument 

Approach

 Localizer Other (specify)

E. Project Cost

F. Enplanements

2000 230,969 2004 256,004 2008 324,434

2001 217,979 2005 275,200 2009 348,951

2002 230,405 2006 305,218

2003 243,097 2007 297,964

G. Is this application subject to review by state under Executive Order 

12372 Process?

 a. This application was made available to the State under the Executive Order 12372 Process for review 

on (date):

 b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372, but has not been selected by the State for review.

 c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372

Funding Source Amount Description

1 Federal amount requested: $750,000

2 State cash financial contribution:

3 Local cash financial contribution: $184,589

3a Airport cash funds: $75,000 Fargo Hector International Airport new route 

marketing

3b Non-airport cash funds: $109,589 Estimated GFMEDC payments for rent, jetway, 

ARFF and landing fees

3c Total local cash funds (3a + 3b): $184,589

4 TOTAL CASH FUNDING (1 + 2 + 3c): $934,589

5 Local funds contributed from already-existing 

programs or projects included in line 3c amount:

6 Local funds contributed from new commitments or 

new resources included in line 3c amount:

$184,589

7 Airport in-kind contribution (amount and description)

8 Other in-kind contribution (amount and description) $107,310 Hotel room discounts (six per night)

9 TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION (7 + 8): $107,310

10 TOTAL PROJECT COST (4 + 9): $1,041,899
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

31

H. Is this applicant delinquent on any federal debt?

 No

 Yes (explain)
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

32

APPENDIX B: COMMUNITY BACKGROUND

Airport Information

On September 9, 1927, Martin Hector leased a quarter-section of land at the northwest corner of Fargo to the city 

for five years at $1 per year and scheduled weekly flights into Fargo began on February 1, 1928. 

The present terminal was built in 1986. With its construction, the terminal facility moved from the southeast corner 

of the airport grounds to the West central area. In 1982, Hector Field became Hector International Airport and U. 

S. Customs opened an office on the field in 1985.

In 2006, the Municipal Airport Authority initiated a terminal expansion project to meet the needs of the passenger 

terminal of the next 20 years. The expansion project was completed in 2008. The Hector International Airport 

completed the passenger terminal expansion/update project October 2008. The project updated the existing 

terminal building and added a 5th gate, 3rd baggage claim and expanded the security checkpoint area. The total 

cost was $14.9M total cost (including EDS room and Coffee Bar project) and added a total of 118,000 ft2total 

terminal space.

The airport has three runways. Runway 18/36 is a 9,000ft. concrete runway. Runway 9/27 is also concrete and 

measures 6,300 ft. Runway 13/31 is asphalt and is 3,800 ft. long.

 
 

 

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Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

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The Cities of Fargo and Moorhead

Fargo (which includes its twin sister city, Moorhead, MN that sits 

just across the state line) is a diverse, stimulating and familyoriented city with all the amenities that make for a satisfying and 

fulfilling life.

Those with firsthand experience talk about Fargo-Moorhead's exceptional K-12 and higher education systems, 

world-class health care, affordable housing, low cost of living and myriad cultural and entertainment options. They 

mention stress, crime and traffic jams, too, but only to say there isn't much of that here.

National Rankings of Life in Fargo-Moorhead 

 Forbes ranked Fargo Moorhead among the top ten small metros for business and 

careers in its 2010 report 

 The American Lung Association ranked Fargo Moorhead one of America's 

cleanest cities in its 2010 State of the Air report 

 Fargo Moorhead is among the top 50 most bike-friendly cities in the United States, 

ccording to Bicycling Magazine 

 #1 secure midsize U.S. city (150,000 to 500,000 population) in the 6th annual 

Most Secure U.S. Places to Live rankings, Farmer's Insurance Group of Companies 

 #3 in Children's Health Magazine's list of 100 Best Places to Raise a Family, September 2009 

 #5 in AARP's list of healthiest places in America to live and retire, September/October 2008 

 #4 in Men's Health Living ranking of U.S. cities in terms of quality of life, Spring 2008 

 Sperling's Best Places 2008 lists Fargo Moorhead among the top ten cities for its low cost of living, 

good job prospects and high quality of life 

 CQ Press ranks North Dakota as the third safest state and tenth most liveable state in March 

2008. Minnesota was fourth most livable and grabbed the top spot for healthiest state.

Economic Overview

As of 2010, Fargo Metro Area's population is 196,332 people. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 12.66 

percent. The median household income is $45,315 and the median home cost in Fargo Metro Area is $140,680 

and unlike many areas of the country hit hard by the recession, Fargo actually saw home prices appreciate last 

year.
 

 

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Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

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Despite the economic downturn in the rest of the 

U.S., Fargo-Moorhead’s economy continues 

to expand. In 2009, companies in FargoMoorhead added more than 300 new jobs, 

mitigating small job losses in smaller businesses.

Fargo is the economic engine that drives the 

Upper Great Plains, and a high-tech center for 

development that continues to grow:

• Fargo is technological, manufacturing, retail, and educational hub with a regional population of almost 

700,000.

• Fargo has grown more than 20% in the last 15-years – and local businesses have created 13,000 new 

jobs since 2000.

• The Forum recently wrote, “North Dakota’s exports grew by more than 34% [in 2007] alone, giving it one 

of the fastest rates of export growth in the country.”

• According to the Fourth Quarter 2008 job survey released by Manpower, Inc., the Fargo-Moorhead area 

enjoyed the fourth-strongest job market in the nation.

• The Los Angeles Times featured Fargo as an, “improbably stylish, worldly, even luxurious [city].”

• National Public Radio recently reported, “Quietly, Fargo has been flourishing. Fargo has steadily created 

jobs and over the last few years has consistently posted one of the nation's lowest unemployment rates." 

• Among the major corporations with operations in Fargo are Microsoft, Bobcat, NAVTEQ, Case New 

Holland, Wells Fargo, US Bank, and Caterpillar.
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

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National Rankings of the Fargo Moorhead Business Climate:

• #5 in Forbes ranking of the Top College Towns for Jobs in May 2009. 

• #7 in Forbes Best Places for Business and Careers in March 2009. The index ranks cities according to 

cost of doing business, educational attainment of the population, income growth, projected job growth and 

net migration. 

• #1 city in North Dakota for entrepreneurial start ups, according to Business Week. 

• #8 in MSN and CareerBuilder.com's October 2008 list of the 25 Best Markets to Find a Job. 

• #24 out of the Top 100 Best Places to Live and Launch a Business, according to Fortune Small Business 

in April 2008. 

• #9 in America's Top 50 Business Opportunity Metros for 2007 - Expansion Mgmt Magazine.

With an Unemployment Rate of Just 3.9%, Fargo Has the Second Lowest Unemployment Rate in the United 

States.

April 2010 Unemployment Rates

U.S. Average and U.S. MSAs with the Lowest Unemployment Rates

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

9.9%

3.6% 3.9% 4.3% 4.5% 4.5% 4.6% 4.8% 4.8% 5.0% 5.0% 5.0% 5.1% 5.1% 5.2% 5.2% 5.3% 5.4% 5.4% 5.5% 5.5% 5.5% 5.6% 5.6% 5.6% 5.7%

0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

12%

Unemployment Rate
 

 

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What’s New in Fargo

Fargo Moorhead’s business environment is evolving rapidly, adding new expertise, facilities and capacity every 

day. Businesses here are benefiting from world-class education and research, unique advanced facilities, strong 

industry-university partnerships, sophisticated business infrastructure, and hardworking, skilled and productive 

employees. Companies are growing, competing globally and profiting in a community that is fully engaged in 

deliberate, cooperative and business-focused planning and execution.

Fargo Automation has announced in January 2010 a $1.5 million expansion project.

The company plans to add 3,000 square feet of office space and 8,000 square feet of 

manufacturing space. Fargo Automation currently employs 60 people. The company 

plans to add an additional 36 jobs within the next three years. Company officials say according to projections, 

Fargo Automation will total 100 employees in five years. The company builds packaging machinery for 

pharmaceutical companies in North America. Their customers include Pfizer, Becton Dickinson, 

GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Tyco Healthcare, and Warner Chilcott. More than 50% of materials and 

supplies are purchased from local businesses.

Case New Holland (CNH) – a leading manufacturer of heavy farm and 

construction equipment – continues to see growth, and added 128 

employees to its Fargo-Moorhead operation in 2008. CNH chose Fargo 

for expansion over plants in Brazil and Europe.

Microsoft – one of North Dakota’s largest employers – has embarked on a 

major expansion of its Fargo campus. The company will add a new 

120,000 square foot building housing as many as 3,800 employees.

Work continues on the development of Concordia College’s new Global Vaccine Institute. 

The Greater Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation donated $10,000 to 

demonstrate local support for the project, which researches neglected tropical diseases.
 

 

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Table 6 – Largest Employers in the Fargo MSA

Employer # of Employees

MeritCare Health Systems 3,691

North Dakota State University 2,401

Blue Cross Blue Shield of N.D. 1,800

Fargo Public Schools Education 1,638

Innovis Health 1,285

US Bank Service Center 952

Microsoft 948

Fargo VA Medical Center 830

West Fargo Public Schools 786

Concordia College 750

Minnesota State University- Moorhead 735

City of Fargo 731

Moorhead Public Schools 675

Phoenix International Corp. 634

Case New Holland 554

Source: Greater Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, August 2010
 

 

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Higher Education

Institution Enrollment Foreign Students

North Dakota State University - Fargo 14,189 800

Univesity of North Dakota – Grand Forks 13,172 500

Minnesota State University – Moorhead 7,510 425

Concordia College, Moorhead 2,811 98

Total Enrollment, Fall 2009 37,682 1,823

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Fall 2009

North Dakota State University at Fargo

North Dakota State University at Fargo is the region’s premier center for higher education, consistently ranked as 

a top university by US News and World Report. It is a public university in and the largest university in North 

Dakota with 14,189 students. Founded as North Dakota Agricultural College in 1890 as a land grant institution, it 

sits on a 258 acre campus. The school also operates several agricultural research centers spread over 22,000 

acres. NDSU is part of the North Dakota University System. NDSU offers 108 bachelor's, 75 minors, 63 

master's, 44 doctoral, and 10 graduate certificate programs. NDSU is a comprehensive doctoral research 

university with programs involved in high research activity.

Minnesota State University – Moorhead

Minnesota State University – Moorhead is a four-year, public university located in 

Moorhead and offers more than 135 degree programs to its students, which come 

from 38 states and 32 countries around the world. MSUM faculty, staff and students 

spend about $88.2 million annually in the local economy. This generates, adding 

secondary effects, an estimated $270 million in economic activity within Cass and 

Clay Counties. MSUM’s payroll for its 789 employees amounts to $32.4 million 

annually, which, applying the appropriate multiplier, generates $105,813,798 in economic activity within the two 

counties. MSUM’s enrollment fall semester totals 7,779 students, who pay more than $13 million in tuition and 

fees. Those students spend about $42.9 million annually in the local market, which has a $132 million impact on 

the economy. MSUM spends an average of $12 million on goods and services in the local economy, ranging 

from construction and retail trade to transportation and business services. That has a $31 million impact on the 

local economy.
 

 

Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota

Small Community Air Service Development Program Proposal – 2010 

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The University of North Dakota – Grand Forks 

The University of North Dakota – Grand Forks is just an hour’s drive from Hector 

International Airport. The university is best known for its aeronautics programs. The 

University of North Dakota is the state’s most comprehensive intensive research university 

and the primary center for professional education and training. UND has brought in more 

than $353 million for sponsored programs from internal and external sources over the last 

five years. UND’s economic impact on the state and region is nearly $1 billion a year.

Founded by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before statehood, UND was 

intended to be, and has remained, a university with a strong liberal arts foundation 

surrounded by a variety of professional and specialized programs. UND is one of only 47 public universities in the 

nation with both accredited graduate schools of law and medicine. It is admired for its spacious, beautiful campus 

and extensive resources. The University has earned an international reputation for its academic and research 

programs.

UND enrolls 13,172 students (fall 2009) in 217 fields of study from baccalaureate through doctoral and 

professional degrees. 46% come from North Dakota; the rest represent all other states, eight Canadian 

provinces, and more than 50 nations.

UND athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division I level in men’s and women’s ice hockey and in 16 other 

sports, including football and baseball for men, soccer, volleyball, tennis and softball for women, and basketball, 

swimming and diving, track, cross country, and golf for both men and women. Fourteen of UND’s 20 athletic 

teams participated in NCAA post-season competition during the 2007-2008 academic year.

Concordia College

As a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Concordia is a vibrant 

learning community of more than 2,800 students, where student engagement goes well 

beyond the classroom. Students frequently join faculty in side-by-side research. They also 

perform in world-class music ensembles, compete on championship-caliber sports teams and 

make their mark in theatre, student government, or more than 100 other student clubs. Many students also get 

involved with Campus Ministry, exploring and expressing their faith through worship services, Bible studies and 

outreach opportunities. The college is also known for its study abroad programs, placing thousands of students in 

France, England, and China.
 

 

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Points of Interest

The Fargo Air Museum

The Fargo Air Museum - Our Planes Fly! The skies are always blue inside the 

Fargo Air Museum home to the only flying F2G-1D Super Corsair in the world, 

one of four flying Japanese Zero's in the world, the DC - 3 "Duggy -The Smile 

in the Sky" airplane, P - 51 Mustangs, Corsair, TBM Avenger, Stearman and 

other vintage flying airplanes! Interactive children's exhibits, operations 

theater, Century of Aviation Wall, restoration area, rotating exhibits and an 

extensive gift shop offer a pleasant surprise for families, group tours and visitors to the region. There is always 

something new flying into the Fargo Air Museum.

The Fargo Theater

The 1926 restored Fargo Theatre is the area's only remaining vintage movie palace with a 

vaudeville stage. The theatre serves as a multi-purpose facility with capacity for film showings, live 

productions and meetings, and is a registered historic landmark. It also houses a restored theatre 

pipe organ, the "Mighty Wurlitzer." 

Celebrity Walk of Fame

Walk the Walk with more than 100 celebrity signatures, handprints and 

footprints in cement at this free attraction. Stars from music, the arts, politics, 

and sports, including Garth Brooks, Neil Diamond, KISS, Maury Wills, Debbie 

Reynolds, and Governor Jesse Ventura, have left their mark, with more being 

added throughout the year.

The Plains Art Museum

This strikingly unconventional museum of fine arts is a brilliantly renovated, turn-of-the-century 

warehouse in historic downtown Fargo. The Plains Art Museum hosts regional and national 

exhibits, large permanent collections, special events, performances and art classes.
 

 

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Festivals

The Fargo-Moorhead area is host to numerous festivals to entice visitors 

from around the country. Branesville Potato Days is a spud-tacular festival 

honoring the potato, food, fun and games. The Island Park Craft Show in 

Fargo has booths of hand-made crafts, food and entertainment held at Island 

Park in Fargo, ND. Rollag, Minnesota is home to the Western Minnesota 

Steam Threshers Reunion! Every Labor Day weekend since 1954, 

generations of threshermen & women get together to relive the tradition of 

the good ol’ days and bring the past to life for the enjoyment of young and old 

alike. Big Iron takes place every year where visitors can see the newest and best in agricultural equipment at the 

Midwest's largest agriculture expo.

Nature and Science

This spectacular area of the country has many attractions for the nature lover. 

The Minnesota State University Moorhead Planetarium simulates the night 

sky. It can show the sky from any location on the earth, now or 

thousands of years in the past or future. The heart of the planetarium is the 

Spitz System 512 planetarium projector. Committed to involving 

participants in hands-on learning, the Minnesota State University 

Moorhead Regional Science Center provides programs on science, technology and environmental education for 

people of all ages. Walk the nature trails, view the vast, tallgrass prairie or visit the bird observatory. Guided trail 

walks can be scheduled. With 300 acres of bluestem prairie woods, a swimming area, camping and river 

communities, Buffalo River State Park is well suited for family fun and environmental education. A variety of free 

programs and field trips are offered to the public and area school districts.

Golf

Eight golf courses await visitors to the Fargo Moorhead area. There is even a 

championship miniature golf course! Additionally, Access of the Red River Valley 

provides golfing enjoyment and a yearly tournament for adults and children with 

disabilities.