Mon, Jan 16, 2012
Governor Announces Move In Monday News Conference
ANN has learned that the deal between the State of Wisconsin and
Kestrel Aircraft is done, and that Alan Klapmeier's turboprop
airplane will be built in the upper Midwestern state rather than in
Brunswick, ME. Wisconsin will also reportedly be the new home
of Kestrel's headquarters.
WI Governor Scott Walker (Facebook)
We recieved word Monday morning from Kestrel spokeswoman Kate
Dougherty that the move was a "done deal." The Duluth News Tribune
reports that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker held a news conference
at 0930 CST Monday in Superior, WI, to announce the agreement. The
paper reports that the Douglas County Land and Development
committee voted unanimously on January 10th to recommend that 13.3
acres near Richard I. Bong Memorial Airport be transferred to the
Superior Redevelopment Authority to make the deal happen. It must
still be finalized by the Douglas County Board on Thursday.
Alan Klapmeier reportedly began discussions with Wisconsin after
problems arose with incentives promised by the state of Maine for
the plant to be built at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station,
which was closed by BRAC and slated by the state for re-development
as Brunswick Landing. The Wisconsin facility would begin as a
35,000-square foot manufacturing plant which it is hoped will
employ some 600 people over the next four years. It would
eventually grow to 50,000-square feet.
Television station WEAU reports that the Wisconsin Economic
Development Corporation will form an enterprise zone which will
make some $18 million in tax credits available to Kestrel. “I
am pleased with the aggressive package we have put forth in
conjunction with strong local support to make this major job
creation contribution to Superior,” said Governor Walker in
making the announcement. “This relocation will be a huge
boost to the Superior-area economy.” Television station WDIO
reports that the overall state incentive package will include $112
million in tax credits along with a $2.4 million low interest loan
and other incentives from the city, and $500,000 plust the land
transfer from the county.
Kestrel says on its Facebook page that its current jobs and
operations will remain at Brunswick Landing in Maine.
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