Improvements include the expanded concourse, increased screening area, remodeled public areas and five new public art installations.

Regional Airport's executive director, Cameron Humphres, says they upgraded the facility to extend its life for another 25 years.

Humphres says, "We needed to make sure this facility could accommodate the future passenger demand into and out of this airport. We had gone beyond capacity for the existing facility and we really, in order to be able to meet future demand, we needed to expand the facility."

Humphres says Rapid City Regional Airport serves 570,000 passengers a year, which is why the renovation is important to the area and local economy.

-Tessa Thomas