Walker, White and Midwest Airlines celebrate

Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker. County Supervisor and Chairman of the County Board’s Transportation and Public Works Committee James White and Chairman, President and CEO of Midwest Airlines Tim Hoeksema recently celebrated the completion of a $9.5 million expansion of the Concourse D "stem" at General Mitchell International Airport.

The project, which added 7,120 square feet to the concourse, created new ground-level boarding gates used by passengers of Midwest Airlines’ commuter service, Midwest Connect. The project also: enlarged airline gate seating areas, widened the corridor between gates, created two two-story atriums with floor to ceiling windows that let in more natural light and remodeled and added food, beverage and retail areas.

Walker said the timing of the renovation coincides well with new southeastern Wisconsin initiatives to draw business investment to the region. "The bright, spacious new gates highlight what makes this such an easy, efficient airport," said Walker. "Mitchell International serves as the front door to our region."

Engineering firm to move to central city

A flourishing, Oak Creek-based engineering firm recently announced that it will move its headquarters to Milwaukee’s central city.

Gestra Engineering Inc., which has 15 employees, plans to move to a city-owned building at 1620-1634 West Fond du Lac Avenue, Mayor Tom Barrett reportedly said.

In addition to moving to the north side building, the company, which provides environmental engineering services, plans to add four employees.

Gestra will reportedly offer six months of training for entry-level jobs that it plans to add after moving to the city. The entry-level jobs will reportedly pay $12 an hour and offer health insurance.

Additionally, according to Mayor Barretts reported statement, Gestra employees will be offered no-interest-loans in the amount of $5,000 to help purchase homes in the nearby neighborhood.

The company has appeared on the Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce’s Future 50 list of fast-growing small businesses of the past two years.

Capitol Drive Airport

Governor Jim Doyle has approved a $120,000 project that will repair and remake the pavement at the Capitol Drive Airport in Brookfield. Capitol Drive has 107 based aircraft and is an FAA-designated reliever airport for Milwaukee’s Mitchell Field.

The governor’s action releases $3,000 in state funds to repair cracks and eliminate depressions in the pavement, resurface the pavement and remark the lines and numbers on the main runway.

Wisconsin Aviation Investments, LLC, owner of this private, public use airport is contributing another $3,000, with the Federal Aviation Administration providing $114,000.

"This project will extend the life of the airport pavement, giving a valued alternative for smaller aircraft in the Milwaukee/Waukesha area," Governor Doyle said. The governor’s "Grow Wisconsin" plan calls for strategic investments in the state’s transportation network to spur economic growth.