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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Red Lake and four other Northern Minnesota counties are classified as legal deserts, with fewer than one practicing attorney per 1,000 residents. -
And: The DNR confirmed zebra mussels in LaRue Mine Pit and Kabekona Lake; and Fulton Brewing will acquire Bemidji Brewing.
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Contributed/St. Louis County Sheriff's Office Facebook pageJonathan David Polaski died Aug. 8, 2026, following a medical emergency in jail. -
Contributed/Sam Stukel / U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceThe invasive species damages boats, poses an injury risk to humans and harms native species. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe partial acquisition is slated to finalize in October 2026. Founders say the move means greater production and distribution capabilities for the Bemidji brand. -
Lorie Shaull/Special to KAXEFederal officials told the Minnesota Star Tribune that a person firing a gun was fatally shot during an encounter with police on Aug. 13, 2026. -
Contributed/iNaturalist user SofiewicklundRecent testing found elevated levels of the bacteria, which can cause illness if ingested. Leech Lake Division of Resource Management issued a warning Aug. 12, 2026. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe discussion comes months after an inaccurate news report listed Bemidji among places where data centers were being considered. -
Plus: Itasca County Board results; Bemidji contemplating data center moratorium
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Graphic/KAXELonny Witkofsky and Cory Smith are advancing to the Nov. 3, 2026, general election, based on unofficial results from Minnesota's primary election.
