Date: February 16, 2012
The U.S. Department of Commerce has awarded the Wichita Airport Authority a nearly $2 million grant from the Economic Development Administration for infrastructure improvements to facilitate the Bombardier Learjet Expansion. The total cost of the expansion project is $3,876,000; the EDA grant is $1,938,000.
The EDA investment will support construction of two parking lots and related infrastructure improvements on land owned by the Wichita Airport Authority adjacent to the Bombardier flight Test Center in Wichita. The improvements will allow a major expansion of Bombardier’s production facilities to include construction of new buildings to accommodate production of the new Learjet 85 aircraft and a new Center of Excellence for Engineering and Information Technology, bringing new, high-paying jobs and private investment to the region.
“The Obama administration has made significant investments to grow the South Central Kansas manufacturing sector and strengthen the region’s aeronautics cluster,” said U.S. Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary for Economic Development John R. Fernandez.
“This $2 million grant will build on that progress and help anchor Wichita’s aircraft manufacturing operation expand and create new jobs. The U.S. Economic development Administration looks forward to this important collaboration with Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer and local leaders to foster economic growth and increase regional competitiveness.”
“We are grateful for the grant and for the support from the Obama Administration for this significant economic development support in our community,” Mayor Brewer said. “This project will create 300 jobs and leverage $60 million in private investment.”
