Stillwater Nears New Airport Terminal Opening and Welcomes Advanced Manufacturing Investment
Stillwater continues to strengthen both its transportation infrastructure and its industrial base.
Stillwater Nears New Airport Terminal Opening and Welcomes Advanced Manufacturing Investment
Stillwater continues to strengthen both its transportation infrastructure and its industrial base. The new Stillwater Regional Airport terminal is nearing completion, while a major advanced manufacturing project is bringing new jobs to a redeveloped industrial site.
New Airport Terminal Approaches August Opening
Construction on the new Stillwater Regional Airport (SWO) terminal is approximately 98 percent complete. The 31,000-square-foot facility includes two gates, a four-lane drop-off area, and a new parking lot. Remaining work includes furniture installation, jet-bridge placement, and baggage-handling system completion, targeted for late July.
A grand opening is scheduled for August 19, 2026. Later phases will add additional parking, an access road, utility relocations, and a roundabout. Funding partners include the Federal Aviation Administration, the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, and the City of Stillwater.
City and airport officials say the modern terminal will improve the passenger experience and support continued commercial air service—Stillwater is one of only four Oklahoma cities with scheduled passenger flights.
Kingspan Brings Advanced Manufacturing Jobs
International manufacturer Kingspan Roofing + Waterproofing is establishing an advanced manufacturing facility in Stillwater by redeveloping a former flooring plant that has been vacant since 2022. The 450,000-square-foot building will produce energy-efficient commercial roof systems.
The project is expected to create more than 100 permanent full-time jobs plus additional construction employment. Financing includes New Markets Tax Credit support from CEI Capital Management, REI Oklahoma, and MetaFund. Local leaders have welcomed the investment as a way to diversify the employment base beyond the university and replace previously lost manufacturing positions with living-wage opportunities.
Water System Reliability Work Continues
Stillwater is also advancing long-term water infrastructure projects, including replacement of aging recovered-water and finished-water pump stations designed for higher daily capacity. City Council has also taken steps related to a pipeline that would improve supply reliability from Lake McMurtry.
Balancing Growth and Community Priorities
Stillwater’s dual identity as a university community and a regional economic center continues to shape local priorities. The combination of a modernized airport, new advanced manufacturing, and steady utility investment reflects an effort to expand opportunity while maintaining the quality of life that attracts students, families, and employers.
Residents can expect final construction activity at the airport through mid-August and ongoing industrial site work related to the Kingspan facility. City officials describe both projects as important steps in positioning Stillwater for continued economic resilience.
