The Compatible Use Study (CUS) Team gathered on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Minot City Hall for an open house to discuss the launch of the Minot Air Force Base Compatible Use Study, a collaborative effort designed to strengthen the relationship between military operations and surrounding communities while supporting future growth and development.
The CUS is a federally funded grant program through the Department of War (DoW) Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. The study is sponsored by the City of Minot, with project delivery coordinated by the Minot Area Chamber EDC in collaboration with Minot Air Force Base and Regional Partners. The study aims to identify opportunities and challenges related to land use, transportation, infrastructure, environmental resources, and other factors that may impact both military readiness and community development.
“It is better to be proactive than reactive,” said Celeste Boccieri, project director.
Project organizers explained that the study will serve as a tool for gathering information, assessing potential compatibility concerns, and developing recommendations that help military and civilian interests successfully coexist. The effort is intended to be community-driven and relies on collaboration between local governments, businesses, residents, military leadership at Minot Air Force Base, and the surrounding eight counties that encompass the base’s 8,500-square-mile missile complex.
Minot Air Force Base’s nuclear deterrence mission plays a critical role in the nation’s defense. The Compatible Use Study is intended to help strengthen surrounding communities while protecting and supporting the Air Force mission.
According to project materials presented during the open house, stakeholders include the City of Minot, Minot Air Force Base, Minot Area Chamber EDC, surrounding communities and counties, Minot International Airport, local school districts, state agencies, industry organizations, and members of the public.
“This project gives us an opportunity to better understand how future growth can support both our community and the mission of Minot Air Force Base,” said Pat Small, project manager.
During the presentation, the project team highlighted 26 compatibility factors that will be evaluated throughout the study. These factors fall into six primary categories: Community Connections, Growth and Land Patterns, Mobility and Operations, Natural Systems, Technology and Utilities, and Readiness and Resilience.
The study will examine topics ranging from housing availability and public services to transportation infrastructure, airspace considerations, environmental resources, and emergency preparedness. Small noted that identifying these factors early can help prevent conflicts and support informed planning decisions in the future.
“This study is about ensuring that Minot Air Force Base and the surrounding communities continue to thrive together for generations to come,” Small said.
The project timeline will begin with stakeholder interviews, data collection, and community profiling during the summer and fall of 2026. Additional phases will include evaluating military operations and mission footprints, assessing existing planning tools, identifying compatibility concerns, and developing recommended strategies. Final recommendations are expected to be completed in early 2027.
Small emphasized the importance of participation from both Minot Air Force Base personnel and residents of the surrounding counties. Community members are encouraged to provide input through a survey available on the study’s website, sharing their experiences, observations, and any potential compatibility concerns related to military operations in their area. The community’s input matters and will help guide the study.
The questionnaire will help identify areas where military operations and communities work well together, where they may conflict and what steps will be needed to boost both. The questionnaire survey will contain 21 questions and will take 5-10 minutes to complete. During the survey users will find questions geared towards location, length of residency, familiarity with MAFB and any compatibility factors.
Community engagement will remain a key component throughout the process, with opportunities for residents and organizations to provide feedback as the study progresses. The Minot City Hall event was the first of three open houses held throughout the region. The CUS team also hosted meetings at the Mohall Community Center on June 3 and at Teddy’s Residential Suites on June 4.
“We want to increase awareness that the military mission doesn’t just happen within the fence line, it actually occurs outside that fence line as well,” Boccieri said. “We want to make sure that citizens and Airmen remain safe.”
For additional information about the Compatible Use Study, to provide your input through the survey, or upcoming public engagement opportunities, residents can visit the project website or contact Keli Rosselli-Sullivan with the Minot Area Chamber EDC at 701-852-6000 or by email at Keli@minotchamberedc.com. Project Website: https://www.minotcus.com/ .
