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December 17 is the 119th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight. The day honors Orville and Wilbur Wright, who in 1903 flew the first successful flight in a mechanically propelled airplane near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
Over a century later, northeastern Minnesota’s aviation industry is an important part of the region’s economy. It provides jobs, spurs private business and assists with essential community and health services. The area’s air transportation system has a wide-ranging impact on the region’s economy and quality of life.
There are 12 airports located within the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation service area that connect the region to local, regional, national and international markets. They are located in Aitkin, Bigfork, Chisholm/ Hibbing, Cook, Ely, Eveleth-Virginia, Grand Marais, Grand Rapids, Orr, Silver Bay, Tower and Two Harbors.
Range Regional Airport (RRA) is the region’s largest and was included in a 2019 economic impact study conducted by Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Office of Aeronautics. The study examined the economic impacts of the state’s public airports related to airport management, business tenants, capital investment, general aviation visitor spending and commercial visitor spending. The study concluded that RRA is responsible for 263 jobs in the region and over $36 million in economic activity.
Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation has provided infrastructure grants to RRA and many of the other airports to help pay for renovations and enhancements to runways and airfield lights, taxi lanes, hangars, aircraft parking aprons, passenger terminals, arrival and departure buildings, and auxiliary businesses. The agency has provided funding to support new and expanding business tenants at the airports including Detroit Diesel Reman, Midwest Aircraft Refinishing and Premium Air.
Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation’s grants are funded through taxes paid by Minnesota’s mining industry.
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