Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made two stops in Duluth, Friday April 11th to discuss the state supporting infrastructure. One of those included Sofidel hosting a groundbreaking for expanding their facility. Another was investing in a new hanger at the 148th Fighter Wing to ensure the safety of maintenance workers.

Since the late 1950’s, the 148th Fighter Wing has been working with the same metal hangers. It’s been an ongoing issue for the safety of workers. Colonel Nate Aysta, the Wing commander says it’s high time for a change.

“It has served its purpose, but it simply cannot support today’s aircraft or the fighters of the future,” Col. Aysta said. “Structural issues, electrical hazards, and limited clearance all pose daily challenges for our airmen and aircraft.”

Gov. Walz says the state of Minnesota needs to support critical defense and the safety of our air national guard here in the Northland.

“Listening to the Colonel, when the weather goes bad and we’re in a lightning warning, he said about 20 times out of the year, we have to shut down what’s happening in this hangar. There is a lot of maintenance and a lot of work that goes on to keep this aircraft flying. We need to put the investments into this hangar. It’s about a $28 million project. State can do it. We’ll construct it with Minnesota Labor right here in Duluth. We’ll get a great facility that will last for the next 70 years.”

Gov. Walz also added that the Minnesota state budget has allocated $3 million in a bonding bill to help kick off the design phase this year.

“It clearly fits, in all of the budgets coming out of the House, the Senate, and the budget recommendations we put forward. I believe the state should be investing in these things. Gov. Walz said. “We need to do more. Federal government’s probably not going to do it. It doesn’t change the fact that it’s needed.”

Col. Aysta also says the state of Minnesota investing in a new hanger will improve safety and efficiency. Another added benefit is that it will keep the military base more competitive. The U.S. Air Force evaluates each and every base to determine where they will send the next generation of fighter aircraft.

Matt Baumbgartner of Duluth’s Area Chamber of Commerce says the 148th Fighter Wing is the seventh largest employer in the city. He added that the military base provides over $100 million annually to Duluth’s economy.

“This is why the military affairs committee started in 2003, we thought we might lose the fighter wing here. We’ve been pushing for this for years because we believe that it’s a time for the state, to put some money into it. Show our state stands behind this, our community stands behind it, and we still need the federal government to come in and help us fund things like this.”

The bonding bill for the hangar designs is also expected to get approved by May 18th. There are already requests made to secure more federal funds for the $28 million project.