U–S Congressman Jim Oberstar and a high ranking Federal official spent the day in Duluth today in support of the region's rapidly growing aviation industry.

They toured Cirrus, Northstar Aerospace, and the Duluth airport.

The federal government has been helping to support many of these facilities, which are boosting the area's economy.

As Congressman Jim Oberstar and U–S Commerce Secretary Sandy Baruah walked through the isles of Northstar Aerospace, they say it showed them the importance of Duluth to the aviation industry across the country.

"We are the world leader in aviation and for Duluth to be a part of that global economic activity is vitally important," said Congressman Oberstar.

In the past year aviation has grown by nine–percent worldwide and the federal officials say this industry will have an even greater economic impact on our region in the future.

"When we see an area like that, that is also focused on a high growth industry such as aerospace that's who we want to help," said Secretary Baruah.

The Duluth Economic Development Authority has been supporting what it calls an industry cluster, working closely with the Duluth airport authority, the Seaway Port Authority, and the University of Minnesota Duluth.

"The federal government is here to support locally driven efforts," said Secretary Baruah.

Not only are these local aviation companies bringing money into the economy, they are also boosting job growth.

"That has been a tremendous boom to jobs, not just jobs, but higher skilled, high wage jobs in the greater Duluth area," said Secretary Baruah.

"Duluth draws from a wider area from the areas and communities who have economic distress beyond Duluth 20 to 30 communities from which workers are finding jobs here in Duluth," said Congressman Oberstar.

Congressman Oberstar says he plans to continue throwing his support behind the growing aviation industry.

"Aviation is the crowned jewel of transportation in America and in the world," said Congressman Oberstar.

Assistant Secretary Sandy Baruah also says there is a pending application right now for about for 1–point–4 million dollars that would help expand the north part of the Duluth airport.

Secretary Baruah is asking for support from community members and the legislature to get that request passed.