Governor Announces OneGeorgia Awards Supporting New Aerospace Jobs, Investment Around the State

Governor Sonny Perdue and members of the OneGeorgia Authority Board on 30 June announced new grants and loans from the OneGeorgia Authority’s portfolio of financing programs. These awards will assist with a variety of economic development projects in rural Georgia aimed at creating jobs, stimulating new private investment, supporting the retention of existing jobs and enhancing regional competitiveness through capacity-building projects. These awards included three awards for aviation/aerospace projects:

Development Authority of Houston County / Georgia National Guard Joint Cargo Aircraft Training Mission (L-3 Communications Integrated Systems as Contractor)

EDGE grant funds of $300,000 are awarded to assist in the expansion of the Georgia National Guard Joint Cargo Training Mission (JCA) at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins. The expansion supports L-3 Communications Integrated Systems (L-3), who has been contracted by the U.S. Department of Defense to carry out the JCA Training Mission. This mission involves transporting time-sensitive/mission critical cargo to the military’s various areas of operation around the globe. L-3 has been in business for over 33 years and is headquartered in New York, NY. The company employs over 66,000 people worldwide and is ranked #182 on the Fortune 500 listing of America’s largest public companies. The company will produce and maintain the new C-27J as well as train crews to operate the JCA. In addition to 41 highly skilled jobs created as a result of this project, 300+ military personnel from all over the world will contribute to the local and regional economy during the repetitive 19-week training course. This will be the first facility in the world to house the new aircraft as part of the ongoing JCA Mission for the U.S. Military. In order to carry out the JCA Training Mission, L-3 will invest approximately $45 million in building modifications and the construction of the Joint Cargo Aircraft Cockpit and Fuselage Simulator.

Washington County – Enhancing Airport Growth and Competitiveness / Terminal Building

Equity grant funds will be used to assist with the construction of a 4,200 square foot terminal building at the Kaolin Field Airport in Sandersville. The new terminal will replace a 1,000 square foot concrete block building constructed in 1967. Improvements will also include a redesigned entrance road, signage, landscaping and a new parallel taxi way. Numerous aviation measures have been and are being added to the 5,000 foot lighted runway at Kaolin Field Airport, including pay-at-the-pump Avgas, Jet-A fuel capability, and a parallel taxiway which is currently under development.

City of Hazlehurst – Level I Airport – Runway Extension

AIRGeorgia grant funds will be used to assist with improvements to the Hazlehurst Municipal Airport (HMA) including extending the airport’s sole runway from 4,508 feet to 5,008 feet. The runway construction will include storm drainage improvements, base, paving, striping, associated erosion control and aviation lighting. Lighting improvements include connecting to existing PAPI and MIRL systems as well as installing new lighting along the proposed extension. HMA is owned and operated by the City of Hazlehurst and situated on approximately 150 acres. The airport, operates with a full-time manager and provides 24-hour self service fuel station.

These grants will support the continued growth of the aerospace industry in Georgia. For the last four years the number of aerospace jobs in Georgia has grown by 4.5% while overall employment in the state has dropped by 5.6%. Aerospace jobs in Georgia are among the highest paid in the state with the average aerospace worker earning over $61,300 per year – 43% higher than the state-wide average. The Georgia Center of Innovation for Aerospace, funded by the OneGeorgia Authority, contributes to this continued growth by helping Georgia aerospace companies commercialize new products, services and business models, connecting them with university research and industry expertise as well as other Georgia resources for the aerospace industry.