January 16, 2012 Wisconsin Wins Kestrel Plant

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By Russ Niles, Editor-in-Chief

Wisconsin has apparently outbid Maine in attracting Kestrel Aircraft. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker announced Monday that Kestrel's manufacturing and headquarters will be located in Superior, just across the border from Kestrel CEO Alan Klapmeier's home of Duluth, Minn. "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," Walker said in a news release. "This relocation will be a huge boost to the Superior-area economy." Kestrel will get $22 million in direct tax incentives from Wisconsin agencies and will be supported in application for $90 million in federal tax credits.

Kestrel originally announced that it would set up in Maine with incentives and support from local and state governments there but that changed just before Christmas. Klapmeier told Maine media the state failed to come up with promised financing. Kestrel hopes to eventually hire up to 600 people to build its fast single-engine turboprop.