Attempts To Lure Jet Maker From TX
The way some in West
Virginia see it, Sino-Swearingen already manufactures some
components for the company's SJ30-2 bizjet in their state -- so why
not the whole thing? Members of West Virginia's economic
development board will attempt to woo the American and Taiwanese
company next week from its current San Antonio, TX
headquarters.
As could be expected, their counterparts in the Lone Star state
are determined to keep Sino-Swearingen where it is -- and they're
willing to spend millions to do it. "We need to give them the
support that they need," said Ramiro Cavazos, head of San Antonio's
economic development department, told the San Antonio
Express-News.
As many as 1,000 jobs are at stake, between the nearly 500
currently employed at San Antonio International Airport and the
expected 500 new jobs to be created as the jet maker ramps-up
production on the newly-certified SJ30-2. Those jobs will pay more
than $20/hour, according to Cavazos.
Sino-Swearingen also employs 140 people at its Martinsburg, WV
facility, where crews manufacture wing and fuselage components.
Those parts are then shipped to San Antonio for assembly. West
Virginia has also lent the company $4 million, according to the
Express-News, to get its plant there operational -- and the state
has a 3 percent stake in the company.
West Virginia has also made every effort to make Sino-Swearingen
feel at home, throwing not one but two parties celebrating the
SJ30-2's FAA certification last month. Governor Joe Manchin III was
in attendance at both affairs, as were a member of Congress and FAA
representatives.
"They were all very supportive and very happy that we achieved
this goal," said company president Dr. Carl Chen.
For its efforts to keep Sino-Swearingen in Texas, San Antonio is
already offering a tax-deferral plan on real and personal property.
It's also making arrangements for the company to lease 24 acres at
the airport for a proposed 250,000 sq. ft. expansion.
San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger has also been actively
involved in the state's retention efforts, even going so far as
offering to call Governor Rick Perry's office on Sino-Swearingen's
behalf regarding the status of a $10 million grant the company is
requesting from Texas's enterprise fund. The governor's office
oversees economic development.
"There's communication back and forth [between Sino-Swearingen
and the governor's office]," Hardberger said. "I think they see it
as routine due diligence on the part of the state."
For all the a-courtin' goin' on, in the end the issue will
likely come down to money -- something Hardberger implied Texas has
enough of to keep Sino-Swearingen where it is.
"Certainly Texas can come up with the money to match West
Virginia," he said.