K.I. SAWYER -- In its first year, the Green Aviation Coalition won a Small Business Administration contract worth more than $500,000. They were only one of 10 to do so from a pool of nearly 200 applicants.

The Coalition is a partnership between Sawyer International Airport, Delta County Airport, Houghton Airport and now the Menominee-Marinette Twin County Airport. They each specialize in a different sector of green aviation. They're working toward the common goal of reducing aircraft emissions and recycling plane parts, but they say the impact will go beyond the environmental.

"It's keeping our airports viable, looking for another way to create income for all of the airports, which creates economic dollars for our individual areas," said Kelly Smith, Renaissance Zone and Industrial Park Manager for the Delta County Airport.

They say if successful, the Coalition will impact everyone. They hope to bring 200 jobs to the U.P. in the next few years by attracting contracts from larger companies seeking their services, which will create work.

"We'll be hiring people from engineering and manufacturing sectors to complete the work," said Glen Simula, Green Aviation Board Chairman.  

So far they say they've had significant contact with large companies to draft a contract for their services.

"We'll be bringing in the first contract in the next couple of weeks," Simula said.

Saturday, U.S. Michigan Democratic Senator Carl Levin said he was pleased with their progress.

"Great things are happening in the U.P.," said Levin. "You just sort of sense that the economy in the U.P. is no longer a troubled kid on the block."

He did mention the Coalition does need to remain competitive to similar operations downstate and across the country, suggesting they look into additional green aviation incorporating the use of biofuel.