The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and our Military Affairs Committee (MAC) are advocating for a $25M request from the State of Minnesota for much-needed hangar upgrades at the Minnesota Air National Guard – 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth.

About the Project

When approved, the funding will go towards demolition of the current, outdated hangars and allow for new and safer hangers, which will also be to house updated aircraft such as the F-35s. This proposal has received strong, bipartisan support at the legislature in 2023 and 2024, and funding was secured in the proposed 2024 bonding bill – yet was not funded since the legislature failed to pass a bonding bill. It is imperative some funding be secured during the 2025 legislative session to ensure the 148th has what they need to succeed and can leverage federal funding as well. Never before has more been asked of our National Guard, which has included pandemic response and additional security missions in recent years, including recent deployments. That is why this proposal has broad community support, including a unanimous resolution by the Duluth City Council, as well as the St. Louis County Board of Directors.

Not only does the 148th serve our community and country, but they also have an incredible economic impact for our region serving as Duluth’s eighth largest employer with 1,100 jobs. We are grateful for their service and sacrifice, and now it’s our opportunity to help support them.

We are pleased the request has strong, bi-partisan support in both the Minnesota House and Senate again this legislative session.

For more information, please feel free to contact Matt Baumgartner, President of the Duluth Area Chamber at mbaumgartner@duluthchamber.com.