County Wants More Time To Review Incentives Package
EXTRA Aircraft is planning to build its first
North American manufacturing facility in Montrose, CO. However, the
German-based manufacturer, as well as 220 potential new employees,
will have to wait while the Montrose Board of County Commissioners
concludes its investigation into an incentives package that sources
say may have violated the Colorado state constitution.
The board announced Thursday afternoon that it needs more time
to review and research the case before making a final decision.
This is the second hold up surrounding the proposed new facility.
During a September 8 public meeting, the Montrose commissioners
also voted to delay their decision based on the need for further
information.
Aviation consulting and research firm Boyd Group International,
based in Evergreen, CO was hired by the county to conduct a "due
diligence" report on the EXTRA offer and was expected to deliver
the results of that report by the end of this week.
At publication, no final report has been released to the
public.
The Grand Junction Sentinel reported on Friday the package of
incentives in question "consists of a number of tax breaks and the
purchase of 7.68 acres of Montrose Regional Airport property from
the economic development corporation by the county."
EXTRA Aircraft EA-500/FILE PHOTO
The state’s Office of Economic Development partnered with
the City of Montrose, County of Montrose and Montrose Economic
Development Corp. to help recruit the company to Colorado,
according to a July 23rd press statement from the Office of
Colorado Governor, Bill Ritter, Jr.
“Even in these tough times, Colorado continues to attract
world-class companies and jobs thanks to our low-cost, high-quality
and business-friendly strategies,” Ritter said.
“Colorado’s spirit of innovation and strong
manufacturing sector are helping to drive our economy forward, and
it’s my privilege to welcome EXTRA Aircraft to the Centennial
State and the Western Slope. Congratulations to all of the partners
who helped make this project a reality.”
The statement also said Colorado is supporting the project
through its Colorado First and Existing Industry job-training
program and other incentives.
Job seekers in the area are hopeful the company will remain
committed to Montrose and that the issue can be resolved soon.
EXTRA announced Montrose as their choice for their new plant
in July and that it plans to manufacture the EXTRA 500 and
EXTRA 350, two popular models of its high-performance turboprop
aircraft.
The Extra 500’s advanced all-carbon-fiber fuselage and
wing will be crafted by the Extra factory in Dinslaken, Germany
then shipped to Montrose for final assembly and completion to each
customer’s specifications. Extra’s Montrose team will
install the new Rolls Royce M250-B17F turboprop engine and the
new-generation Avidyne Entegra Release 9 (R9) avionics suite into
each aircraft.
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