In a shot in the arm for Wisconsin’s economy, Republic Airways will establish a major airline hub in Milwaukee County, retaining 800 jobs and creating up to 800 in Milwaukee and Oak Creek. The job functions include flight crews, heavy aircraft maintenance and technical support, and reservations call center.
Republic Airways purchased Milwaukee-based Midwest Airlines in August, and Denver-based Frontier Airlines. Republic will consolidate operations and maintenance functions in Milwaukee. The Wisconsin Department of Commerce’s EZ-10 Program creates a 12-year Enterprise Zone for the company, and Republic can earn $27 million in income and payroll tax credits by meeting these job and investment goals.
Milwaukee’s bid to Republic included free hangar space that Midwest Airlines now owns at General Mitchell International Airport. That may have been a deciding factor in attracting the jobs. The mayor of Denver, which was also in the running, said his city couldn’t compete with the free hanger space.
