Tenants have gone vertical with their facility construction at Grand Sky and work is expected to advance rapidly as weather conditions continue to improve throughout the spring. For Grand Sky Development Co., the spring construction kick-off presents the opportunity to continue installing new infrastructure elements and updating existing infrastructure at the park.
In 2015, Grand Sky’s immediate infrastructure work included reconnecting the concrete pad, used decades ago as a resting point for Air Force tankers, to the Grand Forks Air Force Base runway. Now, the focus is on repairing the existing taxiway to ensure a smooth start for large UAS operated by Grand Sky tenants.
As the Grand Forks Herald reported, in April, Grand Forks County commissioners approved a bid from Grand Forks, N.D.-based Opp Construction to carry out taxiway repairs at Grand Sky. The park’s large-UAS tenants will utilize the taxiway to access Grand Forks Air Force Base’s 12,351-foot runway.
The county was required to approve the construction bid because Grand Sky was created through an enhanced use lease agreement, which allows the Air Force to lease that portion of the base to Grand Forks County. The county, in turn, leases that space to Grand Sky Development Co.
The county commission is also allowing the Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Department to provide security for Grand Sky. The department will hire an additional deputy to provide security at Grand Sky’s entrance during business hours.
