The Gary/Chicago International Airport’s extended runway, customs facility and proximity to Chicago played a big role in landing its newest tenant.
Jeromy Montesano, who owns Wingtip Aviation in Valparaiso, has signed a 20-year lease on a new hangar for its private charter jet operations.
Officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking for the $12 million, 47,000-square-foot hangar under construction on the airport’s east end Tuesday. It’s expected to be completed in May 2025.
Montesano said his company will fly only long-range jets from Gary. He said Wingtip also has a nearby hangar at Midway Airport and at the Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling. It will also maintain its Valparaiso operation.
“The combination of our full-service aviation management portfolio and the recently lengthened runway will increase the attraction for larger aircraft and enable future growth,” Montesano said.
At about 9,000 feet in length, Gary has the second-largest runway in the Chicago area behind only O’Hare International. The runway opened in 2015 at a cost of about $174 million.
Montesano said the Gary hangar will employ between 25-30 workers and it will rely on the airport’s fixed based operators — Gary Jet Center and B. Coleman Aviation — for fuel.
Montesano, who’s also a pilot, said Wingtip flies 13 long-range jets.
“Today is a phenomenal day. I’m excited to flip some dirt today,” said Gary Mayor Eddie Melton who called it a sign that “Gary is open for business.”
Melton said the city is poised to become the epicenter of opportunity and growth because of its international airport, and deep-water port at Buffington Harbor.
During his time in the state legislature, Melton said Gov. Eric Holcomb told him Gary was one of his priorities.
The state provided $1.3 million in funding for the hangar through Holcomb’s Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) grant program.
“Investments such as this help to promote the type of long-term investment that attracts further capital while supporting jobs and economic development in our area,” said Tai Adkins, president of the Gary City Council.
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Highland, said Gary is undergoing a remarkable transformation.
“I’m proud of the trades’ effort of skill labor that built this with their hands and hearts,” he said.
“It will create a ripple effect of economic development and be a symbol of the revival of Gary Indiana. Today, we are on the cusp of a new era.”
Airport authority member Millicent Macon said growth at the airport is critical to support jobs in the region. She ticked off the airport’s improvements in the past decade including the 2015 runway expansion, the 2018 opening of the customs facility, the 2020 arrival of the United Parcel Service cargo business, the 2022 approval of the airport’s master plan, and last year’s purchase of the Griffith-Merrillville Airport.
She estimated the hangar project would provide 80 to 100 construction jobs. The authority hired two Gary companies — Pangere Construction and C. Lee Construction — for steel framing and foundation work.
Airport executive director Dan Vicari said mechanical, plumbing, electrical and other contracts will be awarded as construction progresses.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
