A few more details released by the city: 

AAR is a provider of products and services to aerospace, government and defense industries. The company was incorporated in 1955 and has revenues of approximately $2 billion with 6,200 employees in 17 countries. AAR is the largest independent provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services in North America. 
 
AAR started exploring Duluth as an option to expand its aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul operations in the spring of 2011 after meeting Brian Hanson (DEDA) and Rob West (APEX) at an industry conference. 

Hanson, West and Bryan Ryks, executive director of the Duluth Airport Authority, led a team that worked directly with AAR to secure its expansion to Duluth.
 
The announcement comes after extensive background work, a methodical labor market study and demonstration of an existing talent pool in the region and state. A career and networking fair last fall garnered interest and attendance from well over 320 individuals, half of whom were skilled A&P mechanics.

AAR has indicated that it would occupy 152,000 square feet of the facility and could hire up to 225 people with the facility at full capacity. AAR plans to start preparing the facility for occupation immediately and intends to secure a customer for the Duluth operation later this summer.