Sun, Feb 22, 2004
Deal Calls For Airport Upgrade
Lawrenceville (GA) American
Utilicraft will build an 80,000 sq. ft. plant in the small town of
San Juan Pueblo in northern New Mexico, after city economic
development leaders agreed to invest big bucks in the company and
improve its local airport.
The town's economic arm, Tsay Corp., will invest $11 million in
American Utilicraft. "We have signed a memorandum of understanding
to put forth our best efforts to make this project happen," CEO Ron
Lovato says. "It is still a long way from finalization, but we are
hopeful. The intent is to bring real industry into northern New
Mexico. We don't need any more service sector jobs. We're talking
about $30-an-hour jobs fully loaded with benefits. That will
certainly go a long way to diminishing the area's reliance on state
and federal governments and on Los Alamos National
Laboratories."
The accord calls for the San Juan Pueblo plant to assemble
American Utilicraft's FF-1080 freighter, which is still in
development.
"The FF-1080 is revolutionary because of its capability to carry
standard industry air containers on short-to-medium range/medium
destiny routes," American's promotional materials say. "The
aircraft is designed for short take-off and landing capability. To
the best of our knowledge, this is the only short-haul, heavy-lift
containerized feeder aircraft that is capable of transporting six
revenue tons over 500 miles, or four tons over 1,500 miles with
less than 3,000 feet of runway."
American Utilicraft announced last month that it's signed a deal
with WSI Hong Kong, Ltd., with an option for up to 300 more of the
light aluminum-body twins.
The company is the third to announce plans for building aircraft
in New Mexico. Both Aviation Technology Group and Eclipse will
build plants in Albquerque, spurred by funds from the New Mexico
Investment Council. Adam Aircraft is reportedly considering a move
there as well.
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