The Salina Airport Authority entered a new lease agreement with Garmin International, Inc., providing for classroom and office space to be used in partnership with Kansas State University Salina.

Since last fall, Garmin had a lease at Hangar H600, the same building where K-State Salina aerospace and unmanned systems programs take place. The Salina Airport Authority approved a one-year lease at the same location with Garmin Aug. 17.

Garmin, which specializes in GPS technology for automotive, aviation, marine, outdoor and sport activities, is working on several projects that involve K-State faculty and students.

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Though Garmin will be housed in the same building as K-State's unmanned aircraft program, the company's partnership is with the school's manned aviation department. Some students have come on as interns for Garmin through the partnership.

Director of Finance and Administration for Salina Airport Authority Shelly Swanson said Garmin reached out to the airport last fall looking for office space for the partnership.

“Things have worked out very well… and so a few months ago (Garmin) reached out and said, ‘our lease is getting ready to expire, and we would like to enter in something a bit more long-term – we plan on being here for a while,’” Swanson said.

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Executive Director of the Salina Regional Airport Tim Rogers said the initial lease with Garmin has been positive, and he looks forward to continuing business with the company.

“It’s been a big plus for us – a great addition to our aviation activity at the Salina Regional Airport,” Rogers said.

The new lease is for 1,341 square feet of office and classroom space at a rate of $1,185 per month beginning Oct.1. The lease includes options to renew for four additional years at one year each lease and a consumer price index adjustment every two years.

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Salina Airport leases office space to Garmin International