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State Legislature Awards $10 Million for Duluth Airport Authority Air Traffic Control Tower Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2025
PRESS CONTACT
Duluth Airport Authority
Natalie Baker, Director of Communications and Marketing
(218) 625-7768
nbaker@duluthairport.com
State Legislature Awards $10 Million for Duluth Airport Authority Air Traffic Control Tower Project
Duluth, MN – The Duluth Airport Authority (DAA) is pleased to announce the State of Minnesota has approved a $10 million cash allocation during the 2025 legislative session to support the replacement of the Air Traffic Control Tower located at DLH. This marks a major milestone in securing funding essential to strengthening the region’s aviation infrastructure.
The funding, which was included as a part of the state’s Transportation Bill, provides critical support for the replacement of the aging air traffic control tower at DLH. The current facility no longer meets the operational and safety standards required by today’s aviation environment.
“This allocation is a tremendous win for Duluth and the entire region. A modern facility is essential to maintaining safe and efficient operations, and to supporting the airports role as a hub for passenger, cargo, and military flight operations.” said Tom Werner, Executive Director of the Duluth Airport Authority. “We are incredibly grateful for the partnership and leadership shown by our state legislators in both the House and Senate, in recognizing the urgent need for this project and championing this funding at the Capitol.”
The $10 million cash allocation will be split between 2026 and 2027, receiving $5 million each year. This award brings the total amount of funding secured for this $72 million project, to $33.2 million from both state and federal funding sources. The DAA will be submitting additional funding applications in the coming months to achieve full funding for this project.
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About the Duluth International Airport
Starting June 1, United Airlines will offer four daily nonstop flights to Chicago and Delta offers four daily nonstop flights to Minneapolis/St. Paul. We are committed to providing our travelers with superior services in a safe, secure and professional environment. Be sure to visit our Club DLH Business Suite, designed with the working traveler in mind. Visit duluthairport.com, follow us on X @DuluthAirport, and like us on facebook.com/duluthairport.
New Study Shows Duluth International Airport Contributes $1.4B to State Economy
PRESS CONTACT
Duluth Airport Authority
Natalie Baker, Director of Communication and Marketing
(218) 625-7768
nbaker@duluthairport.com
New Study Shows Duluth International Airport Contributes $1.4B to State Economy
Duluth, MN: The Duluth Airport Authority is pleased to share results from a recently-completed economic impact analysis of the Duluth International Airport’s (DLH) impact on Minnesota. The study concluded that business activity at DLH supports over 4,000 full-time jobs annually, contributing $284.8 million in labor income and $1.4 billion in output to the state’s economy.
“DLH is an essential economic driver in the Arrowhead region. DLH and our business tenants provide valuable services and connect our communities to the world,” said Tom Werner, Duluth Airport Authority Executive Director. “As the Duluth Airport Authority pursues additional capital investments, it is important that we understand the lasting and far-reaching impact of the airport and businesses that operate at DLH. This economic impact study shows our positive impact on the region and beyond.”
Measuring DLH’s Impact
The Duluth Airport Authority commissioned the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics to evaluate DLH’s impact in terms of airport management, on-airport business tenants, capital investments, and visitor spending via commercial and general aviation. The research team used the IMPLAN input-output modeling data and software to model economic impacts.
As Minnesota’s second-busiest commercial airport, DLH plays a critical role in generating local employment by supporting regional aviation activity, joint civil-military operations, and all aviation-related businesses located at the airport. DLH airport activities in 2024, including general aviation and commercial visitors, had lasting impacts, including:
- 3,000+ jobs supported
- $208+ million contributed to the state’s economy
- $1.2 billion in annual spending from DLH operations, its business tenants, and visitors
- For every $1 spent by the airport, another $0.20 was spent by area households and supporting industries
Additionally, indirect and induced impacts from DLH operations contributed:
- 943 additional jobs in supporting industries
- $76.8 million in labor income
- $233.9 million in output to the state’s economy
Planning for DLH’s Future
The DAA has several capital improvement projects planned for DLH in the coming years, with funding from state, federal, airport, and private investments. Over the next five years, the airport plans to spend nearly $150 million on capital improvement projects, including:
- Replacing the air traffic control tower
- Building new hangars
- Reconstructing the primary parallel taxiway.
Investments at DLH will average nearly $30 million per year until 2029 and will support 317 jobs, $24.7 million in labor income, and $61.1 million in output each year.
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About the Duluth International Airport
Currently, United Airlines offers three daily nonstop flights to Chicago and Delta offers three daily nonstop flights to Minneapolis/St. Paul. Effective January 31, Sun Country will be offering nonstop flights to Fort Myers, Florida. We are committed to providing our travelers with superior services in a safe, secure and professional environment. Be sure to visit our Club DLH Business Suite, designed with the working traveler in mind. Visit duluthairport.com, follow us on X @DuluthAirport, and like us on facebook.com/duluthairport.
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