BISMARCK — The North Dakota Legislature has approved up to $850,000 for air base retention efforts in Minot.

Senate Bill 2240 included $500,000 for Minot and $250,000 for each Grand Forks, home of Grand Forks Air Force Base, and Fargo, which has a National Guard presence. In the waning days of the legislative session, lawmakers added $350,000 to the Commerce Department bill, House Bill 1018, for Minot Air Force Base retention.

Sen. Randy Burckhard, R-Minot, who has spearheaded efforts on the state funding for Minot within the Legislature, said the two bills bring Minot close to the $900,000 originally requested in SB 2240. 

The Minot Area Chamber EDC intends to direct extra dollars to helping the community prepare for the major impact to housing and services with the influx of workers associated with the installation of the new Sentinel missile system. Part of that process will include monitoring impacts in Wyoming and Montana, which are scheduled for missile updates first.