Colorado Springs Airport Will Be Home To New Campus

Bolstered by crucial local and state economic development incentives, Sierra Completions, a subsidiary of Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), stands one step closer in their plans to build its proposed high-end aircraft completions complex at the Colorado Aerospace Park at the Colorado Springs Airport. The overall incentives were critical to Sierra Completions’ decision to locate in Colorado. Meanwhile, the state also greatly benefits as the four-phase, $88-million campus will house more than 2,100 employees within five years and is expected to provide a multi-billion dollar economic impact, including indirect and induced employment, to the Pikes Peak region.

“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.”

Sierra Completions serves private sector V-VIPs and Heads of State, modifying jet interiors to create an “office in the sky.” Featuring world-class engineering and design, the new business comes complete with all the cutting-edge systems and technology for which SNC has become recognized over the past 50 years. Services include design, modification, integration, modernization, certified aircraft maintenance, and overhaul of the aircraft.

Development of Sierra Completions helps diversify the Colorado Springs’ economy — almost half of the area’s employment dollars go to U.S. Department of Defense employees — and serves to keep trained talent local as personnel transition out of the military. Additionally, it 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.

“Market studies have shown the Sierra Completions stage is set for success as it fills a niche currently being unmet in the aerospace industry,” said SNC President Eren Ozmen. “We are grateful to the state of Colorado, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the city of Colorado Springs, El Paso County, the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance and the Airport Authority for helping us make the Sierra Completions dream a reality. Together, we will create the world’s premier general aviation completions facility.”

"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."

FMI: www.sncorp.com