Hibbing Airport lays out 2025 capital projects, announces SkyWest contract renewal

Barrett, director of the Hibbing‑Chisholm Airport, told the City Council on Aug. 7 that the airport’s top 2025 capital priority is Phase 1 of a perimeter‑fence replacement funded with federal entitlements; bids were accepted and a contract with Century Fence is in place. "The largest being our federal project where we're gonna use our federal entitlements... phase 1 of our perimeter fence replacement," Barrett said.

He outlined routine pavement work, including crack sealing on the primary runway (last rehabilitated in 2009) and taxiway maintenance, and said the airport will apply for state equipment grants (70/30 match) to buy a self‑fuel trailer and a maintenance van to support operations and Lifelink air medical refueling needs.

Barrett said SkyWest’s Delta Connection service renewed its Essential Air Service agreement on June 1 and extended it through May 2027, a sign of stability for the airport’s scheduled service. "SkyWest Delta Connections has renewed their essential air service contract... instead of a 2‑year agreement, they opted to go with a 3‑year agreement," Barrett said. He added that SkyWest plans to deploy smaller 50‑seat aircraft in the Minnesota market later this year.

He also noted seasonal Sun Country charters remain in place and that Detroit Reman’s recent 60,000‑square‑foot expansion and related infrastructure grants and road improvements have increased airport activity. The director presented a proposed 2025 levy of $821,000, an increase of about 3% from 2024, and a balanced operating budget of $3,242,626.

Barrett said the airport is managing non‑recourse loans for recent hangar projects and building a reserve to cover future maintenance, and that the airport will discuss these items further at the joint meeting later in August. No formal council action on the airport budget was taken at the Aug. 7 meeting; Barrett said staff will continue work on final numbers and grant approvals.