GRAND FORKS — A U.S. Space Force official testified last week that the proposed $250 million Space Operation Center at Grand Forks Air Force Base could bring 800 guardians to the area.
Kathryn Kolbe, Space Force associate chief operating officer, said the GFAFB center would be one of four similar facilities across the country.
“We anticipate that these facilities will be housing 800 guardians working 24/7 continuous, uninterrupted operations in support of our combatant commands,” Kolbe said in response to a question from U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-North Dakota.
Funding for the four bases is included in
President Donald Trump’s proposed 2027 budget
. If the funding is secured, the 180,000-square-foot GFAFB facility would house missions related to satellite infrastructure and intelligence gathering. It would also include a 500-person auditorium and a dining area.
Hoeven is among the senators pushing for Congress to appropriate the funding.
“Grand Forks is leading the way for our nation’s military communications and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions,” Hoeven said. “This $250 million Space Force Operation Center will bring new and exciting missions to North Dakota. We look forward to working with the Space Force to fund this project through the annual appropriations process so we can start moving forward on design and construction.”
The facility is expected to enter the design phase later this year, according to a news release from Hoeven’s office.
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