COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Sierra Nevada Corporation says it’s one step closer to bringing new jobs to Colorado Springs after local and state economic incentives were approved.
Plans call for Sierra Completions, a newly-created subsidiary of Sierra Nevada, to build a high-end aircraft completion complex in the Colorado Aerospace Park at the Colorado Springs Airport.
The $88 million complex would be built in four phases and will house more than 2,100 employees within five years. Sierra Nevada says the complex would have a multi-billion dollar impact on the local economy.
The facility will be at the intersection of Aviation Way and Astrozon Boulevard.
“We were very pleased with the cooperation and commitment brought to the table by state and local officials, proving they’re invested as much in the success of Sierra Completions as we are,” said Jon Burgoyne, president of Sierra Completions. “This new subsidiary of SNC will serve as an anchor tenant for the state’s emerging commercial aerospace industry, while also building on the company’s decades of experience in aircraft systems. The construction of the Aerospace Park and Completion Center will move forward once final agreements are fully negotiated and executed.”
According to its web site, Sierra Completions “serves private sector VIPs and Heads of State, modifying jet interiors to create an ‘office in the sky.'”
Sierra Nevada says the complex will be “one of only a few completion centers in the U.S. capable of accommodating the Airbus A350 and the Boeing 747 and 787, which are among the largest wide-body aircraft in the world.”
“With the announcement today by Sierra Nevada Corporation, Colorado Springs is on its way to becoming home to an aviation facility unlike any other in the country,” said Gov. John Hickenlooper. “The Sierra Completions complex will create thousands of jobs and pump $5 billion into our state’s economy. Sierra Nevada Corporation has proven again and again to be a great partner and asset for Colorado. We’re thrilled to welcome Sierra Completions and be part of the continued success and expansion of SNC.”
Dan Gallagher, aviation director at the Colorado Springs Airport, said the new jobs are the result of extensive local efforts to attract employers who offer high-paying jobs.
“The average pay scale is around $86,000,” he said. “That’s well above the county average of $44,500. Most of the jobs will be current employees who relocate, but some jobs will come from this region.”
During a luncheon last month, Mayor Steve Bach and Hickenlooper suggested that the city create jobs by promoting its well-established aerospace industry. Sierra is the fifth business to move to the airport recently as part of that effort.
A second project by Sierra to build a space flight training center in town could create nearly 300 jobs. Sierra plans to invest about $388 million in both projects.
Sierra created “The Dream Chaser,” a next-generation spacecraft that could be part of the local project.
The Colorado Economic Development Commission is providing about $26 million in tax incentives to both projects.
Colorado Springs and El Paso County will contribute more than $4 million in incentives to the projects.
http://www.krdo.com/news/nevada-company-poised-to-bring-2100-new-jobs-to-colorado-springs/31235704