JAA Board Approves Lease With West Virginia Aviation
Company
The Jacksonville (FL) Aviation Authority Board of Directors
Monday approved a lease with KCI Aviation for the construction of a
new 30,000-square-foot hangar facility at Cecil Airport. "We are
extremely excited to expand our operations to Jacksonville and
Cecil Airport," said Charles A. Koukoulis, president and CEO of KCI
Aviation. "Jacksonville has a great business-friendly environment,
and Cecil is truly a diamond in the rough. It's geographically well
located and has ample land and facilities for our company's growth
potential. Strategically, it's perfect for our business model."
Helping companies fulfill their business needs is a priority
emphasized by Florida Secretary of Commerce, Gray Swoope, who
serves as president & CEO of Enterprise Florida, the state's
principal economic development organization. "KCI's expansion to
Jacksonville demonstrates Florida's ability to provide the right
site and infrastructure that companies need to maximize their
operations," Swoope said. "We welcome KCI to our business community
and will value the company's contributions to our economic
growth."
KCI, which is based in Bridgeport, WV, specializes in
inspection, maintenance and repair of business jets and
turbo-props, notably those powered by Pratt and Whitney engines.
KCI plans to hire a minimum of 30 workers by the end of 2014 with
an approximate average annual wage of $46,000. Construction of the
new hangar and office facility is expected to begin in March with
an anticipated completion date in early 2013. "This is great news
for Cecil Airport and Jacksonville," said Steve Grossman, JAA's
Chief Executive Officer. "KCI Aviation is exactly the type of
aerospace tenant we are trying to attract to Cecil. They are an
excellent fit with our existing base of commercial and military
clients."
"Aviation and aerospace is a growing industry in Northeast
Florida and plays a significant role in our local economy," said
Jerry Mallot, president of JAXUSA Partnership. "We welcome KCI
Aviation and the new jobs and investment the company is creating in
our community."
Aviation and aerospace development is a targeted industry sector
for both the State of Florida and City of Jacksonville. The state
and city agreed to support the expansion of the company and
associated new high-wage aerospace jobs by pledging expansion
location assistance that will be awarded following the commencement
of operations and creation of the promised new jobs.
Cecil Airport, a former Navy master jet base, consists of
6,000-plus acres, nearly 50 buildings, including 12 hangars, and a
12,500-foot main runway, one of the longest in Florida. Cecil is
also the only licensed horizontal launch commercial spaceport on
the East Coast. Cecil Airport tenants include The Boeing Company,
LSI, Pratt & Whitney - Woods Group, Flightstar Aircraft
Services, Florida Army National Guard, Naval Air Systems
Command Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, L-3 Com, U.S. Coast
Guard, Florida State College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville JetPort
and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
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