BEMIDJI — AirCorps Aviation in Bemidji is one of three businesses receiving expansion grants from Minnesota DEED.
The state’s Department of Employment and Economic Development announced $762,000 in business expansion grants that are expected to create 55 jobs and leverage more than $10 million in private investment.
AirCorps Aviation specializes in restoring, maintaining and rebuilding modern, vintage and legacy aircraft, with a special interest in restoring World War II planes. They also host a large library of aerospace schematics and make specialty parts.
The company will invest nearly $1 million to expand and improve its current Bemidji site, as well as receive $175,000 from DEED’s Job Creation Fund. The expansion is expected to create 14 jobs in the first three years.
Other grantees in this round include Broekema Beltway USA in Pine City, which manufactures conveyor belt systems for agricultural and industrial sectors; and Marotta Controls in Chaska, which designs, develops and manufactures systems for aerospace, space and defense sectors.
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One would prohibit local governments from entering into NDAs with private companies. The other would require two public hearings and disclosures like the company behind the project, size and potential impacts.
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The bill limits permitted uses of AI to services such as transcribing and documenting sessions. A human therapist would then have to review the documents created by AI.
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And: Bemidji's Aircorps Aviation receives MN DEED grant; and Beltrami County seeks feedback for safer roads planning.
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Plus: Bemidji Public Library to cut hours, staff; a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by a former Rock Ridge School Board member; Northern Minnesota tribal leaders testified in the nation's capital; and Minnesota Forest Industries' Tom Radovich was appointed to the state's Forest Resources Council.
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The order filed March 16, 2026, said Pollyann Sorcan failed to state a First Amendment retaliation claim in her 2023 suit.
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Radovich will serve the Council as the forest products industry representative. The 17-member body aims to coordinate diverse forest interests in managing the state's timber stands.
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Bemidji Public Library will shift from being open six days a week to four, as well as reduce its staff by two employees.