Airport Infrastructure Renewal (AIR) Program funds were awarded to the following project:
Rochester - $250,000
This project will construct a 12,000 sq. ft. hangar that will be leased to Great Planes Aviation (GPA). GPA provides aviation maintenance technology services for aircraft. The expansion will allow them to be an FAA certified 145 repair station and service Cirrus, Gulfstream, Bombardier and other jet aircraft. GPA currently employs 10 and plans to expand to 32 FTEs. GPA will be investing $500,000 in equipment. The total cost of the hanger is $2 million. The city of Rochester will be providing the remaining $1,750,000.
2020 Awards
Airport Infrastructure Renewal (AIR) Program funds were awarded to the following projects:
Elbow Lake - $250,000
This project will construct a 4,800 sq. ft. addition to an existing hanger that will be used by Prairie Air Inc. Prairie Air is the Midwest’s biggest service and parts distributor for Robinson Helicopters. Prairie Air employs 10 full-time employees and will add five full-time employees within 5 years. The total cost of the hanger addition is expected to be $610,000.
Alexandria - $181,000
This project will renovate the existing Viking Building (56,000 sq. ft) at the Alexandria Airport. The building is partially occupied by two businesses for manufacturing and warehousing despite its very poor current conditions. Originally Bellanca Aircraft were manufactured in the building. The city is hoping the existing businesses will expand in the building and new businesses will locate in the building. One of the current tenants is Opportunity Enterprises, a non-profit that uses ex-offenders to manufacture various mechanical gear and switches while teaching career skills and life skills. They currently employ 6 full-time employees. In total, the building currently has 10 full-time employees and hopes to add at least 6 full-time jobs within 5 years. Total cost of the building renovation is $362,000.
Duluth Airport Authority - $250,000
This project will complete phase 2 of rehabilitation of the 311 Building on the Duluth Airport. The building was conveyed to the authority from the Federal Bureau of Prisons in poor condition. Cirrus plans to expand their current manufacturing capacity in the building and create full-time 25 jobs. The airport authority will maintain ownership of the building. Total cost of phase 2 of the rehabilitation is $500,000. Cirrus will be paying for the non-state portion of the project.
