As a decision nears about which carrier will replace Delta Airlines in providing commercial service to the Falls International Airport, owners of the airport say they want information from stakeholders, area residents and businesses that rely on convenient air transportation.

To that end, the International Falls City Council, acting as fiscal agent for the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission, accepted a proposal Monday from a state agency to conduct in-depth interviews with representatives of the airport’s major stakeholders and users, at a cost of $4,875.

In related action, the council set a special meeting for Nov. 18 to review the interview results.

Delta, doing business under Mesaba/Pinnacle Airlines filed notice July 15 to discontinue air service to the Falls, but by law may not stop service until another carrier is secured, Susan Baratono, executive secretary of the commission, reminded councilors Monday.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has received proposals for a two-year period from two carriers: Great Lakes Aviation Ltd. and Sovereign Air. Baratono said that the U.S. DOT does not see Sovereign Air as a viable option because it is not operating and has no planes or pilots.

Great Lakes Aviation would offer three daily flights to Minneapolis with 19-seat Beechcraft planes, with an early morning departure from the Falls and a late night return, a schedule that has been desirable in the past.

“The airport commission is sorting how that level of service would affect enplanements,” she said.

The interviews would help the commission identify the community’s needs for air service, but the process must begin soon to meet an approaching deadline for acceptance of a proposal, Baratono said.

The interview process will be conducted by the Management Analysis & Development part of the Minnesota Management and Budget Office and is expected to be concluded by Nov. 14.

In other business Monday, the council heard from Tony Oveson about the Arrowhead 135 ultra marathon that begins at 7 a.m. Jan. 30 from Kerry Park Arena and finishes in Tower. Competitors may bike, ski or run the 135 miles through the rugged and scenic Arrowhead State Snowmobile Trail.

Oveson said regardless of weather conditions, the race will go on.

Oveson encouraged the community to view the unique and extreme race as a way to boost the local economy and he said he would be working with the local chamber to connect its Icebox Days, which features the Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run, with the Arrowhead activities, including an ice sculpture contest, for about 10 days of cool fun.

Just seven people competed eight years ago in the first Arrowhead. The 2012 event features a maximum field of 135 competitors from nine countries. Oveson said when conditions for safety permit, he will increase the number of competitors to 500.

He also said he’d like to see other races that feature the unique terrain of Borderland developed and said the races would draw many competitors and their families who would spend money in the community.

Oveson noted that last year, the Arrowhead 135 raised 500 pounds of food for the local food shelf and contributed $5,000 to the Wounded Warriors Project, which provides programs and services to severely injured veterans during the transition between active duty and civilian life.

Oveson asked the city to contribute stainless steel water bottles featuring the city’s name, which he said would help to advertise the area.