Wisconsin wins aviation plant, jobs
January 18, 2012, 06:31 pm
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker recently announced that Kestrel will open its new headquarters and manufacturing plant in Superior, Wisconsin, bringing an estimated 600 jobs to the state.
The Duluth News Tribune reported the manufacturing plant will build six-to-eight seat propeller planes that will be used similar to corporate jets, but with features and advancements that make them more efficient and flexible. While more energy efficient planes are being created, pilots should still invest in pilot insurance to safeguard from any accidents.
“It’s a historical, beautiful day in Superior,” Dave Minor, Superior Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, told the source. “Not since World War II has this number of jobs been created.”
Kestrel originally thought it would develop the headquarters and manufacturing plant in Brunswick, Maine, but changed its mind to Superior. Alan Klapmeier, co-founder and former CEO of Cirrus Aircraft now with Kestrel, said it was a difficult decision, but the plans would work best in Wisconsin, the source reported.
According to the Maine Public Broadcast News, Kestrel said it would open its single-engine, turbo-prop plane manufacturing plant in Maine and lease out space at Brunswick Landing. Kestrel said it originally expected to receive $39 million in federal tax credits to help fund the $100 million project. But the government only awarded the company one fifth of its expected funding. Wisconsin was able to offer Kestrel more tax credits than Maine and won the project.
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