Duluth seeks $14 million in state funds to leverage federal grant for new air traffic control tower

Representative Kozlowski described House File 427 as a regional priority to replace the 70-year-old air traffic control tower at Duluth International Airport and to leverage federal replacement grants created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Tom Warner, Executive Director of the Duluth Airport Authority, told the committee that the airport's mix of military, commercial and general aviation operations creates a complex airspace and that a new facility is needed for safety and resilience. Warner said the project cost is estimated at $72 million and that a federal competitive grant program established by the IIJA would cover about 95% of eligible costs; Duluth is seeking $14 million in state funds to pay federally ineligible portions and to unlock federal dollars. Warner said approximately $16 million of federal funding is already committed and a federal request of $38 million was anticipated this summer.

Warner said the airport's aviation cluster contributes approximately $1.4 billion in annual economic impact and supports more than 4,000 jobs; the airport hosts commercial carriers, Cirrus Aircraft, the Minnesota Air National Guard's 148th Fighter Wing (140th F/W referenced inconsistently in transcript), and aviation training programs.

Committee members asked about the funding breakdown and learned the project has used MnDOT matching and has $3 million already invested in studies and design; proponents stated the project is shovel ready. No committee vote was taken on a state appropriation during the hearing.