Located just a few miles from the Minnesota-Iowa border, the Jackson Municipal Airport has been a fixture in the city of Jackson since the early 1930s. More than just a landing strip, it’s a community hub where local pilots gather to share their love of flying.
“They don’t try to micro-manage or control anything,” says airport manager Paul Sanders of the airport’s primary users. “Everyone gets along. The pilots really encourage others to fly.”
Sanders has managed the airport since 2007. His aviation journey began at a technical school in Fargo, North Dakota, and continued with hands-on work restoring aircraft alongside well-known airshow performer, pilot, and aircraft restorer Bob Odegaard. Sanders rebuilt warbirds and worked on spray planes, then moved to southern Minnesota to be the chief mechanic for a Fairmont aircraft charter business. Following that stint, he worked at Blue Earth Airport before arriving in Jackson. He started out as a mechanic before being promoted to airport manager.
Today, the Jackson airport does more than serve pilots—it serves the entire community. Every September after Labor Day, it hosts two major public events: the Prairie Winds Kite Fly and the Fly-In Breakfast. The Kite Fly, held on the first Saturday of September, draws about 5,000 attendees each year. “It’s a good family event that promotes the airport,” Sanders says. Chalk art murals fill the area while colorful kites soar above, transforming the airfield into a temporary festival ground.
A local airport with statewide impact
Beyond hosting community events, the airport provides measurable economic benefits. According to the Minnesota Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study, the Jackson Municipal Airport supports 2,486 annual visitors, contributes $1.4 million in local spending, and helps generate $2.3 million in overall economic activity.
The airport plays a role in four major areas:
- Corporate support: John Deere frequently uses the airport to fly in parts and personnel critical to its agricultural manufacturing operations.
- Energy infrastructure: Aerial inspections of pipelines and powerlines—faster and more efficient than ground surveys—ensure the safe delivery of energy across the region.
- Public service: Law enforcement, natural resource monitoring, and emergency medical services rely on the airport for aerial support. Fixed-wing aircraft, for example, serve the hospital when helicopters are grounded by weather or maintenance.
- Agricultural aviation: Local farmers benefit from aerial application of fertilizers and crop treatments, helping boost productivity and manage pest and disease control.
Major upgrade, long-term vision
For decades, Jackson operated with a 3,600-foot paved runway and a 2,300-foot seasonal turf runway. But aviation standards have changed. The last major pavement project dated back to 1995. To remain eligible for funding and compliant with updated FAA requirements, the airport needed a significant upgrade.
The result was a multi-year collaboration between the airport, neighboring landowners, the City of Jackson, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, consulting firm HDR, and the FAA to build a new runway.
Airport expansion talks can feel like all sides are pushing, Sanders said. Conversations focused on a finding a balance between the needs of city officials, the airport committee, and surrounding landowners. “Time was of the essence,” Sanders said. “The runway was past its life span.”
The planning process included completing an updated master plan, conducting an environmental assessment, and planning months of community engagement. Negotiations led to a compromise in which city-owned land was used to expand the airport while also meeting Highway 71 and County Road 34 requirements.
The new runway officially opened on August 10, 2023, providing 3,600 feet of updated, lit pavement for takeoffs and landings. Located just 240 feet northeast of the old runway, the new alignment brings the facility up to current FAA safety and design standards. The previous paved runway has since been converted into a parallel taxiway. The turf runway remains in use, though some elevation improvements are still needed.
With the new infrastructure in place, the Jackson Municipal Airport will serve as both a transportation asset and community anchor into the future.
