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.

FMI: www.utilicraft.com, www.edd.state.nm.us/PROGRAMS/assist.php