New four-bay airport hangar to boost economic development
CARIBOU, Maine — City councilors recently voted to accept a quarter million federal dollars to help construct a four-bay hangar at the Caribou airport.
The project’s cost is estimated to be roughly $415,000, and the Northern Border Regional Commission grant could cover $250,000 of that cost. The state will cover $20,750, and the remaining $144,250 would be paid for by the FAA with the city’s entitlement funds.
City Manager Austin Bleess told council the tee-hangar could have a positive economic impact on the city, as it would increase tourism opportunities, and provide work for Fresh Air, a company that does aircraft maintenance in Caribou.
Bleess also said that he has spoken with an aviation company that is showing interest in expanding into Aroostook County to offer flight instruction and aircraft rentals, which has the potential to create new jobs.
The terms of the approved resolution are that the city aligns its “economic development strategy with the state of Maine and the comprehensive economic development strategy for northern Maine,” and that they “recognize the importance of tourism in the role of their local economy. Additionally, accepting the grant requires the city to hold “several community visioning sessions where increasing business development and tourism opportunities here in Caribou should be pursued.”
