Story ID: 3011712alerts
Kestrel Aircraft Moving to Wisconsin
By: Mark Huber
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Word Count: 182
Kestrel Aircraft is abandoning plans to set up the headquarters and new production plant for its K-350 single-engine turboprop in Brunswick Landing, Maine. Yesterday, the company announced a $118 million deal to locate in Superior, Wisc., on land adjacent to Richard I. Bong Airport and begin construction in June. The agreement is being financed by a variety of grants, low-interest loans and tax credits from the city of Superior, Douglas County and the state of Wisconsin. The majority of the funding is coming from the state, and the deal is viewed as a political plus for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R), who likely faces a contentious recall election later this year. Walker said the deal could create “about 600 jobs” in economically stricken northwest Wisconsin. The state is extending Kestrel $108 million in tax credits and $4 million in low-interest loans. A Kestrel spokeswoman said the company would continue to keep its Kestrel Aeroworks aircraft modification business at Brunswick. The company currently employs 25 there and 25 more employees at its engineering office in Duluth, Minn., which is just across the St. Louis Bay from Superior.