Airpark celebrates success with new tenant, Northstar Aerospace, in spec building

Northstar Aerospace, the largest machine parts supplier for Duluth-based airplane manufacturer Cirrus Design, celebrated a grand opening in October at its new location in the Port Authority owned-Airpark Industrial complex adjacent to the Duluth International Airport.

Expansion into its new space allowed Northstar to add machining centers. Grandmaison Photographic Studios

The Port Authority recently constructed the 20,000-plus square-foot speculative building at a cost of nearly $1 million in hopes of attracting just such a business. It invested an additional $800,000 to bring the building up to the high standards required for aviation manufacturing.

"We started as a small machine shop in 1993," said Northstar president John M. Eagleton. "Since then, we've been fortunate to form a close association with Cirrus Design. We've outgrown our old facilities, and I think it's fair to say that our recent strong growth comes as a result of the great success that Cirrus Design has enjoyed. This expansion will help us to continue to grow and accommodate the needs of a very important customer."

Northstar supplies Cirrus with more than 100 different machined parts for each airplane, as well as crew and passenger seating. As Cirrus increased its airplane production in recent years, Northstar's employment grew from 12 to 40 highly skilled machinists, metal fabricators, welders, assemblers and support staff. With the addition of five new machining centers in its new Airpark facility, the company expects to create another 30 family-wage jobs.

State aid to Northstar Aerospace was provided in the form of a $150,000 Minnesota Investment Fund grant to the City of Duluth from the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED). The city will provide a low-interest five-year loan to the company to assist with the financing of capital equipment in the new facility. Additional financing for the $450,000 project is coming from Republic Bank and the Duluth Economic Development Authority's 1200 Fund.

"You couldn't ask for a better example of how a single innovative company like Cirrus Design can spin off economic development opportunities for an entire community," said DTED Commissioner Rebecca Yanisch, St. Paul.