Duluth officials press for state help as federal tower-replacement grant window closes
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Summary
Duluth leaders asked the committee to approve remaining state support to replace the airport's decades-old air traffic control tower and said a federal IIJA competitive program can cover most costs but the local match and enabling projects remain a barrier.
Representative (carrying bill) and Duluth airport officials presented House File 198, which seeks state bonding assistance to replace a 70–75-year-old air traffic control tower at Duluth International Airport.
Tom Werner, executive director (as stated in the transcript) for the Duluth airport authority, said the airport serves military, commercial and general aviation and contributes over $1.4 billion annually to the regional economy. Werner said the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act established a competitive grant program that can fund up to 95% of eligible replacement costs over a five-year window; Duluth submitted an application and is awaiting results. He asked the committee to provide the remaining state share so the project, estimated in testimony to total $69 million including enabling work, could proceed if the federal grant is awarded.
Members discussed the amount requested from the state versus the amendment's language; the committee adopted a DE1 amendment by voice vote, and Werner said Duluth was seeking $4 million from the state as part of closing the project funding gap.
Ending: the committee adopted the DE1 amendment; the transcript does not show a final passage vote on the underlying bill.