AirPro’s recent renovations and new equipment are expected to create 18 full-time jobs, with WEDC authorizing up to $90,000 in performance-based tax credits
MADISON, WI. SEPT. 10, 2026 – One of the Northwoods’ biggest employers is expanding its operations with an eye toward ensuring further growth for the company — and the community.
AirPro is investing more than $1 million in its Rhinelander industrial fan and blower manufacturing facility to streamline its manufacturing processes, reduce transportation between facilities, and create 18 new jobs.
“We believe being on time is important, so if we have a ship date, we want to hit it,” said Matthew Parsons, AirPro cost accountant. “The new equipment allows us to hit those ship dates without delays.”
AirPro is an industry-leader that offers custom and pre-engineered industrial-duty centrifugal fans, blowers, and accessories. The company has four facilities across Rhinelander.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is supporting the project by authorizing up to $90,000 in state income tax credits over the next three years. The actual amount of tax credits AirPro will receive is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment during that period.
“AirPro’s continued investment strengthens Rhinelander as the primary manufacturing hub for the Northwoods,” said John W. Miller, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state’s leading economic development organization. “New job opportunities in small communities like Rhinelander can have big impacts and create an environment where everyone can thrive.”
Creating jobs that pay a living wage has been AirPro’s mission since the company was founded in Rhinelander in 2002.
“It’s always been about Rhinelander. Our desire to grow as a company is so we can employ more people,” Parsons said. “With the money to buy the equipment, we’re going to be able to create more jobs faster than we would if we had to save up for that ourselves.”
As AirPro has continued to grow, the company’s products have expanded with it. Historically, AirPro was known for manufacturing large, custom fans, but they have since successfully transitioned to simpler, smaller fans. The project will directly serve the industry’s needs for smaller fans and is estimated to allow for growth potential up to $60 million.
AirPro has been 100% employee-owned since 2016 and is set up as an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). The decision came after founder Keith White Sr. was approached with several purchase offers, but he ultimately chose to sell the company to its employees, ensuring that AirPro would always stay in Rhinelander and continue creating jobs there.
AirPro also supports the Rhinelander community by donating locally to places like the food pantry and library. To inspire a future generation of welders, AirPro also hosted shop class students from Rhinelander and Three Lakes High School to teach them about the trade and weld on their fans.
“People matter, and they matter to our company and leadership,” Parsons said. “We don’t exist in a silo by ourselves, we exist with other people, so it’s important that we’re helping in our community.”
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About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Visit wedc.org or follow WEDC on Twitter @WEDCNews to learn more.
