GOVERNOR CRIST ANNOUNCES PIPER AIRCRAFT EXPANSION
May 28, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394
VERO BEACH – Governor Charlie Crist today joined Jim Bass, president and chief executive officer of Piper Aircraft, to announce the aviation manufacturer’s plans to keep its headquarters in Florida and further expand manufacturing operations in Vero Beach. Today’s announcement concludes Piper’s two-year site selection process. Piper, a manufacturer of general aviation aircraft, will receive a $32 million incentive package as part of the agreement between the company, the state and Indian River County.
“Piper Aircraft’s continuing presence will mean thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in wages, economic development and other contributions for Indian River County, surrounding communities and our state,” Governor Crist said. “Florida is continuing to attract cutting-edge, technology-based companies, like Piper, that expand our state’s innovation economy.”
Piper’s commitment to the community is to create approximately 454 jobs by 2012 in addition to the approximately 963 that will be retained under this project. The project’s incentive package will help Piper make capital investments in facilities, technology, equipment and tooling as well as create new jobs in undertaking the design, development, production and assembly of the PiperJet and other aircraft projects.
“We are pleased and honored to announce our decision to remain and expand our operations in Indian River County,” said Bass. “Our decision is not just a vote of confidence for our hometown, it is also a commitment by Piper to Indian River County and the State of Florida.”
Partners on the expansion project include Enterprise Florida, the City of Vero Beach and Indian River County. The project is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent and customary closing conditions.
About Piper Aircraft
Piper Aircraft, Inc. is headquartered in Vero Beach. Piper has manufactured hundreds of thousands of aircraft and has more than 160 models certified. Approximately 90,000 of those aircraft are still flying and being serviced and supported on every continent by Piper’s 65 service centers, 40 dealers and 2,500 field personnel. Today, Piper is the only general aviation manufacturer to build and offer aircraft for every general aviation mission, from trainers and high-performance aircraft for personal and business use, to turbine-powered business aircraft and the PiperJet.
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