Jul. 14—DULUTH — Sky Harbor Airport's new $2.66 million terminal is now ready for takeoff.
The modern facility located on Park Point was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting event on Wednesday, July 10.
The amphibious air base accommodates both land and seaplane traffic with under-wing camping and 24/7 fuel and pilot services.
New amenities include a pilot lounge, modern flight planning room with up-to-date aeronautical information, vending options and public outdoor patio areas. Currently showcased inside the new facility is an exhibit by fiber artist and Park Point resident Natalija Walbridge.
In addition to hosting an average of 13,500 flight operations each year, the self-sustainable airport supports local search-and-rescue efforts, as well as area law enforcement, and helps support vital services and business needs of the community.
During the ceremony, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar's Regional Outreach Director Rachel Loeffler-Kemp read a statement on her behalf.
"Last year alone, this airport welcomed over 500 international travelers and visitors here," Loeffler-Kemp read from the statement. "On average, every international traveler to the U.S. spends more than $4,000."
A combination of federal, state and local funding was utilized to bring the project to fruition, including $1.92 million from the FAA, and $520,000 from the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The FAA's Airport Terminals Program funding was made available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Orion DiFranco, the Northeast MN and Broadband Outreach director for U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, said, "This terminal facility upgrade is a perfect example of why Sen. Smith was so proud to support the bipartisan infrastructure law, which is making billions of dollars in much-needed, long overdue investments into Minnesota's infrastructure, including right here at Sky Harbor Airport."
Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert praised Klobuchar and Smith, who he said "led the charge" on the federal funding as local delegates.
Federal Aviation Administration representative Lindsey Terry said that when the
infrastructure law
passed in 2021,
$25 billion in funding became available for airport infrastructure nationwide
.
When the
Duluth Airport Authority's Sky Harbor terminal project
was selected from a pool of 658 applications for a total of $9 billion in requests that year, it was the only general aviation airport selected in the entire state, Terry said.
The new terminal facility now meets modern aviation requirements, flood plain requirements and ADA compliances.
A $1.4 million snow-removal equipment facility was also added to the property to ensure the airfield pavement and walkways in and around the airport remain operational during the winter.
St. Paul-based engineering firm Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. was the construction manager, designer and engineer for the project, which was completed in the spring.
Duluth Chamber of Commerce Vice President Daniel Fanning said the Sky Harbor Airport generates $5 million in economic activity each year, in addition to employing 50 people.
"This building alone generates over $200,000 in increased tax growth for our community," Fanning said.
Hermantown Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kim Parmeter recognized the benefits that investments to regional infrastructure have on Duluth's surrounding communities.
"This airport will undoubtedly draw more visitors eager to experience our local attractions, natural beauty and our unique hospitality. Increased tourism, of course, translates to more customers for local businesses, jobs for our residents, more revenue for our community, which I'd like to think of as more sponsors for our Little League teams. It's a big ol' cycle," Parmeter said.
Duluth Airport Authority Executive Director Tom Werner said, "Through this new terminal, we hope to invite the public to learn more about aviation, whether it be through a scenic air tour, a program with the Duluth Aviation Institute, or one of the many public events we hope to host in this new building."
In marketing the airport to the general aviation community, the DAA aims to attract more cross-country and regional flights to the tourist center of the city, Werner added.
"Since the pandemic, there's been a lot more interest in general aviation, enabling folks to fly themselves, even if it's in a fractional ownership or club setting so that they get out and enjoy aviation," Werner said. "We'd love to be your gateway here at Sky Harbor."
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