Outagamie County will get $126,000 to support Air Wisconsin expansion

GREENVILLE - Outagamie County will get about $126,000 to help pay for infrastructure projects related to the construction of a 30,000-square-foot maintenance facility being built by Air Wisconsin Airlines at the Appleton International Airport.

The money will come from a state Department of Transportation program meant to help communities attract employers to the state, Gov. Scott Walker announced Tuesday.

The infrastructure improvements will provide truck access to the loading dock, a concrete apron and storm water facilities.

Air Wisconsin announced the $8 million expansion in June and plans to finish construction early next year. The airline expects to create more than 70 jobs as a result.

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The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is also supporting the project by providing up to $700,000 in income tax credits to Air Wisconsin over the next three years. The actual amount the airline gets will depend on the number of jobs created

Air Wisconsin has a long history in the Fox Valley. It started commuter flights between Appleton and Chicago in 1965, the same year the new Outagamie County Regional Airport — now known as Appleton International Airport — opened.

The airline stopped flying in and out of Appleton in 2006 when its contract with United Airlines ended, but it returned last year.

Air Wisconsin has been operating out of Appleton International as United Express. The airline operates in 63 different U.S. cities.