This spaceport located in Burns Flat just landed a 6.7 million dollar contract from the air force for flight training. It isn't much, but it is somewhat exciting to see some investment here.

Oklahoma Air and Spaceport wins $6.7 million deal from Air Force | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-air-and-spaceport-wins-6.7-million-deal-from-air-force/article/5491064)

In the past KCSM was used for touch-and-goes for crews from Altus AFB (no, I'm not talking about when it was an active USAF base) and by certain airlines. I'm happy to see this resource being used.

I used to live out there, and the sights of the planes doing their touch-and-goes was always fun. We would often park on the county road at the beginning of the runway to watch them fly over us. I remember a big town hall meeting back in 1999 or 2000 when the airport was first proposed as a spaceport. There have been a couple of set backs, but I would love for it to finally succeed.

I think there is some sort of military presence out there currently (Air National Guard, maybe?) and I think it's also used for general aviation - but the facility has gone largely unused since Rocketplane Kistler left in 2009-ish. Halliburton does has a presence here, but they don't utilize the air field at all, to my knowledge. I would love to see this facility succeed for it's intended purpose as well... there's plenty of land to work with here and it's pretty easy for heavy equipment to get here by both road and rail.

A nice get:


Monday, October 31, 2022

Governor Kevin Stitt and local leaders announced today that Premium Aerospace Center (PAC) will locate its international headquarters at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port complex in Burns Flat, Okla. PAC will invest several million dollars to renovate and expand two existing hangars and build a third hangar at the facility.

“Seeing this project come to fruition has been a goal of mine since we met with Premium Aerospace in Mexico last fall,” Gov. Stitt said. “The investments we are making in this site, and several others, will make Oklahoma a prime target for foreign investment and high-quality jobs. This announcement from PAC further solidifies Oklahoma as the aerospace MRO Capital of the World.”

PAC signed a long-term lease and business development agreement at the aerospace industrial park and FAA-licensed spaceport at the Clinton-Sherman Airport. The renovated hangars and new hangar will accommodate 737 and larger aircraft for paint and interior remodeling for airline companies with strategies to further expand its business model. The company estimates as many as 600 new jobs to be added once the hangars are complete.

“We were impressed by Governor Stitt’s enthusiasm and warm invitation to establish our operations in Oklahoma,” said Lucas Conde, PAC General Manager. “The infrastructure investment by the State and the Department of Commerce and the Governor’s ‘can-do’ attitude solidified our decision to make our investment in Oklahoma.”

PAC initially plans to hire upward of 30 employees with plans for future investments exceeding $120 million, over the next few years, and a total job creation of between 450 to 600 employees. PAC is working with Western Technology Center and local workforce development leaders to develop a skilled technical workforce to support its operations and growth plans.

“We’re delighted to welcome Premium Aerospace Center to Burns Flat,” said Bailey J. Siegfried, Oklahoma Space Industry Authority Chair. “Their decision to invest here shows confidence in our ability to support their needs as part of the state’s growing aerospace sector. Together with our state and local partners, we’re actively pursuing more developments like this one to advance our vision for a major aerospace and spaceport complex in southwest Oklahoma.”

“Western Technology Center and the Oklahoma CareerTech system are second-to-none in the nation at equipping and training a workforce designed for the local industry. We’re working with the PAC team and our statewide network to develop a training and certification program that will prepare and educate a workforce to be a great partner and get them the skilled workers they need,” said Eddie Compton, CareerTech Aerospace and Defense Industry Liaison.

“I look forward to this long-term investment by PAC in western Oklahoma. Aerospace is Oklahoma’s second-largest industry, and many of us have long believed there’s tremendous untapped potential at the Burns Flat Air and Space Port,” said Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus. “This is the kind of investment that is going to fuel even more economic growth and job creation in our rural area.”

In recent years, the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) has added an FBO (fixed-based operation), providing jet-A fuel and related aircraft services. The industrial park has several other tenants to include energy-related manufacturers, a medical clinic, 9-hole golf course, and a restaurant. Boeing, Honda, and Kratos Defense Solutions have utilized the facilities available at the Oklahoma Air & Space Port for various testing of aircraft.

- https://oklahoma.gov/governor/newsroom/newsroom/2022/october2022/governor-kevin-stitt-announces-hundreds-of-foreign-investment-jo.html

Good get !

Is this a start up?

On news this evening, PAC has not 1 contract yet. Shooting for March 1, 2023 to open.

Sorry for my ignorance, MRO? Maintenance?

One definition is "maintenance, repair and overhaul".

Thanks!

Is this an existing company moving their headquarters to Burns Flat or a new company that is starting in burns flat? There is zero information about this company online. The press release touts an “International headquarters” and “foreign investment” but it doesn’t look like the company exists outside of an Oklahoma LLC that was only created a couple of months ago.

Does this company even have a website? I can’t find it.

He's down in the polls and needs a win--even if it's a completely fabricated from whole cloth win.

I was guessing this was political theatre by Stitt. Trying not to be a loser.

He's down in the polls and needs a win--even if it's a completely fabricated from whole cloth win.

No he's not. He will win fairly convincingly, as much as I hate it. So he has no need to engage in political theater.

No he's not. He will win fairly convincingly, as much as I hate it. So he has no need to engage in political theater.

There may be no need to do it, but that is exactly what this is. It is a start up that established it's LLC in May. This is not an international get for the State, as much as he would like to think it is. But he knows what the headline needs to say and that is exactly what it says.

There may be no need to do it, but that is exactly what this is. It is a start up that established it's LLC in May. This is not an international get for the State, as much as he would like to think it is. But he knows what the headline needs to say and that is exactly what it says.

Kind of feel all companies started as start-ups :p

Nowhere did it EVER say it was a relocation of a major company, but one who is planning to grow majorly here and HQ in Burns Flat. No lies were told or anything. They have grand plans. Will they come to fruition? Maybe, maybe not. Most start-ups fail. But this is a company that chose OK for its HQ, and that is all the article from the state said. No one said it was a fortune 500 relocation.

There is a quote by Gov. Stitt that says he met with Premium Aerospace in Mexico last year. He never says that they were headquartered in Mexico or that they are relocating from Mexico, but it seems that quote has many misunderstanding (even news publications like The Tulsa World that state it’s a relocation) along with the report that it’s being backed by international investors. It doesn’t help that there’s so much emphasis on it being an international company that will bring “foreign investments” into Oklahoma. I can’t find it now but when searching through various articles yesterday, one even mentioned Gov. Stitt saying something along the lines that he promised Oklahoma the world and now he is bringing the world to Oklahoma, which if that is a genuine quote then it could be even more misleading whether intentional or not and add to the confusion of whether this is an international company relocating its headquarters or if it’s a new company with international aspirations that he met with while in a foreign country.

No he's not. He will win fairly convincingly, as much as I hate it. So he has no need to engage in political theater.

Since he's arguing with Republican Voters and Newspapers in Dewey County, he's not doing as well as you think he is

Since he's arguing with Republican Voters and Newspapers in Dewey County, he's not doing as well as you think he is

I am hoping Joy wins in a landslide. She is far from a perfect candidate for me personally. However, I do believe she will help restore a bit more integrity to the governor's office.

I am hoping Joy wins in a landslide. She is far from a perfect candidate for me personally. However, I do believe she will help restore a bit more integrity to the governor's office.

First legit poll was just released. Shows stitt +9

First legit poll was just released. Shows stitt +9

Yeah, that is why I said hope. If I trust Oklahoman’s to do anything it is to vote for politicians that actively work against their best interests.

First legit poll was just released. Shows stitt +9

Can you tell me what the legit poll is?

So the conclusion here from what many seem to be saying is this isn’t really anything significant as it likely won’t play out?

Can you tell me what the legit poll is?

The polls are here:
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/governor/2022/oklahoma/

Can you tell me what the legit poll is?

Emerson. Real clear politics has it up

Wow, $50,000,000 in dark money spent to upset Stitt. I think most people saw through the negative rhetoric

17715

Wow, $50,000,000 in dark money spent to upset Stitt. I think most people saw through the negative rhetoric

17715
…?

^^^

The fundamentals haven't changed. Anyone who thought hordes of Republicans in a dark red state during a national GOP +4 environment would hitch their wagon to a former Republican running as a teacher union-endorsed Democrat is mistaken. Press only showed one poll of many (flawed poll) becaise it gets clicks and views. Now that more realistic pollsters are coming out its a double digit lead for Stitt. Showing a race closer than it really is can help draw in donations whereas if honest polling was reported earlier that extra money doesnÂ’t get donated.

Stitt will win by double digits. The negative ads arenÂ’t working except bringing in money from those who might believe the race is close. $50,000,000 was spemt on dark ads targeting Stitt alone, think of how much good that could have done if spent on many things we need. Where and who spent that money in a red state in a year conservatives are polling great nationwide.

JMO, but weÂ’ll know next Tue night. One thing IÂ’m thankful for is OK has one of the most secure voting systems in the country. IÂ’m proud to be an Okie and be able to say that.

…?

I have no idea how reputable they are but going to their website, the first thing you see in bold letters is “In God, we trust. All others must bring data.” Digging a little further, you come across statements such as they “work with people that share our belief that America is a shining city on a hill blessed by God — but only as long as we honor God, can we succeed in our mission of protecting freedom.” Looking at their Twitter feed and briefly at their CEO/founder’s Twitter, it is easy to come away with the impression that they’re a polling group with a heavy slant towards GOP campaigning. None of that discredits their data but when they send out an email with terms like “dark money” (which is real but can sound unsettling to those unfamiliar) while their CEO/founder hostilely responds directly to a candidate on social media, it’s hard to not think there’s a degree of bias/conflicting interest there.

Edit: OKC Guy’s post above mine looks like it could be their Twitter feed compiled and written into a short article.

So the conclusion here from what many seem to be saying is this isn’t really anything significant as it likely won’t play out?

I think it could be relatively significant if it does play out, I’m just uncertain of what exactly to expect from it. Hundreds of jobs in a sparsely populated area could be an incredible boost to the economy, especially in an industry like aerospace.

I think it could be relatively significant if it does play out, I’m just uncertain of what exactly to expect from it. Hundreds of jobs in a sparsely populated area could be an incredible boost to the economy, especially in an industry like aerospace.
It would be nice to see. Burns Flat has its own little community and Elk City and Clinton could benefit.

I think it could be relatively significant if it does play out, I’m just uncertain of what exactly to expect from it. Hundreds of jobs in a sparsely populated area could be an incredible boost to the economy, especially in an industry like aerospace.

The university in Weatherford needs to take a lead in training for skills needed to support it. It would help significantly.

Wow, $50,000,000 in dark money spent to upset Stitt. I think most people saw through the negative rhetoric

17715
This figure from a known Republican pollster is suspect. $5 million MIGHT be believable, but $50 million is just propaganda. Some think they can’t lose unless there is some grand nefarious plot against them by boogie men.

I don’t think reporting of corrupt action is negative rhetoric.

Stitt himself claims his opposition has spent 25 million. That shows you how skewed this analogy is.

Edit: OKC Guy’s post above mine looks like it could be their Twitter feed compiled and written into a short article.

Well, we could probably simplify that and say Joy has the wrong letter behind her name in a time where Democrat's are struggling nationally.

First legit poll was just released. Shows stitt +9

I think the election will be closer than that. Other polls have it much closer and may persuade more people to vote. If Stitt wins, I hope it won't be by double digits. If so, it will just persuade the state legislature to double down on passing more prohibitive laws that will further discourage business and industry from coming in. What would help, instead, is to reduce tax on gas as some other states have done. Of greater help to counter inflation is to repeal sales tax on food, but are they ever going to get around to doing that?

So we all agree that this dark money is from the tribes, correct? They have the funds and don't know who else it could be

So we all agree that this dark money is from the tribes, correct? They have the funds and don't know who else it could be

I hadn’t thought about *who* it might be really, but it’d make sense, however much the amount actually is. I admittedly haven’t followed how connected any of the tribes or candidates have been about their relationships beyond what has been in the news, so I can’t say if there’s anything on record or if there’d be a need for any to keep donations in the dark.

I guess that’s a long way of saying it would make sense but I don’t know enough about it to say it absolutely is the tribes.

I think the majority of the divide is rural versus urban. OKC and Tulsa have more voters who are (and I don't mean this in the modern way) progressive. While the rural areas have more who are socially conservative. I don't know if the urban growth (and rural shrinkage) in Oklahoma has changed statewide totals yet. But I think it will be an urban majority state in the next 10 years.

I think the majority of the divide is rural versus urban. OKC and Tulsa have more voters who are (and I don't mean this in the modern way) progressive. While the rural areas have more who are socially conservative. I don't know if the urban growth (and rural shrinkage) in Oklahoma has changed statewide totals yet. But I think it will be an urban majority state in the next 10 years.

It doesn't when the legislators gerrymander it to where rural areas have way more power than urban, especially based on their population...

So we all agree that this dark money is from the tribes, correct? They have the funds and don't know who else it could be

Meh, it's moot. That is the system that is in place. The members of a party on the Federal level want to keep donors identity secret. I'm sure both sides have dark donors. Tribes on one side, O&G on the other side.

I think the majority of the divide is rural versus urban. OKC and Tulsa have more voters who are (and I don't mean this in the modern way) progressive. While the rural areas have more who are socially conservative. I don't know if the urban growth (and rural shrinkage) in Oklahoma has changed statewide totals yet. But I think it will be an urban majority state in the next 10 years.

At least a couple of rural college towns will join in with the urban vote on Nov. 8, namely Stillwater and Tahlequah. Their votes will help the Demos, if the elections for Stitt and Walters are close. Actually, the demographics have already shifted to urban to affect the elections, especially for state questions, and explains why extended Medicaid was barely passed in Oklahoma in 2020. The heavy urban vote in favor of legalizing medical marijuana helped get it passed in 2018. About all the rural counties in the western half of Oklahoma voted against it.