OKC considered for manufacturing plant.

[AFCM]

I can't seem to locate any links, and I don't remember every detail of the story, but I heard on talk radio yesterday, that Oklahoma City was one of five cities being considered for a manufacturing plant for aircraft or aircraft parts. Two of the other four cities I remember being mentioned were Albuquerque, NM and Columbia, SC. I think the other two cities were in Florida, but I don't want to mislead anyone just in case I'm wrong. The plant will add an estimated 1,500 jobs. Let's hope OKC lands this. I'll keep looking for links, but that's all I know right now.

[writerranger]

I can't seem to locate any links, and I don't remember every detail of the story, but I heard on talk radio yesterday, that Oklahoma City was one of five cities being considered for a manufacturing plant for aircraft or aircraft parts. Two of the other four cities I remember being mentioned were Albuquerque, NM and Columbia, SC. I think the other two cities were in Florida, but I don't want to mislead anyone just in case I'm wrong. The plant will add an estimated 1,500 jobs. Let's hope OKC lands this. I'll keep looking for links, but that's all I know right now.

From The Tallahassee Democrat

Aircraft firm eyes Tallahassee for new assembly plant
By Steve Liner
DEMOCRAT BUSINESS EDITOR

A major American aircraft manufacturer is considering Tallahassee as the site of a new assembly plant that could eventually employ 1,500 workers, according to local economic-development leaders.

Tallahassee is one of five cities under consideration, said Sue Dick, president of the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and Tallahassee/Leon County Economic Development Council. Other cities include Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, N.M.; Columbia, S.C.; and Vero Beach. The name of the company is not being released.

If the plant locates to Tallahassee and hires at the level expected, the company would be one of Leon County's largest employers, said Michael Wright, assistant city manager for development and transportation.

The plant will produce very light jets, Economic Development Council Chairman Bill Law said.

A site consultant for the manufacturer was in Tallahassee Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The visit included meetings at the Tallahassee Regional Airport, where the proposed plant would be located, as well as with area business leaders, Dick said.

A series of partnerships was created to attract the plant, Law said. Included in Tallahassee's proposal are three major components: facilities, training and incentives.

Dubbed "Project Osprey," a bid to attract the plant began late last year, Dick said. Major players included the city of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College, Workforce Plus and Lively Technical Center. Leon County and others were also included.

The manufacturer asked for new buildings totaling more than 700,000 square feet. Of that space, about 600,000 square feet would be dedicated to the plant and about 100,000 square feet to offices. The Economic Development Council and the city selected the 275-acre site at the airport. Tallahassee would build the facilities and lease them to the company.

"We hope to use this company as an anchor for the airport industrial park," Wright said.

He said the park includes about 500 acres.

"We've got the land. We've got the resources. Now we're busy putting the dominoes in place," Wright said.

TCC, Workforce Plus and Lively Technical Center have a training plan to support hiring for the plant, Law said.

"A plant this size would require more people than we have in Leon County," he said. "We would have to train workers from other counties in the area, taking a regional approach."

TCC has agreed to set aside about 40,000 square feet of space dedicated to training for plant, Law said. He said TCC's Center for Economic and Workforce Development would dedicate a full-time senior training position to the project.

"Our board is highly supportive," he said, adding that training employees would require 18 months to two years.

Financial incentives will be required to recruit the company, Dick, Law and Wright agreed.

"This company has a product that is going to succeed," Wright said. "But we understand (there will be the need for incentives) from a cash-flow perspective."

From this point, it is anticipated that the list of finalists will be narrowed for further visits. The good news, Dick, Law and Wright said, is that making the short list shows Tallahassee is competitive.

"We did a great job," Dick said. "We did everything we needed to do."

-----------------

[AFCM]

There it is. Thanks for the link WR!

[Kerry]

Let me just comment on the Florida part. Vero Beach is out. My in-laws live there and the there is no way the geezers (not my in-laws) are going to disrupt their retirement village with a manufacturing plant of this size. Everytime a wealthy person flies their personal jet into Vero's airport the letters to the editor start flying. I can only imagine what would happen if the Boeing Frieghter made a regular appearance. Second, Tallahasee is out. They simpy don't have a skilled workforce. They would have to import all 1500 employees.

My guess is that the company is Spirit Aviation. They purchased a lot of Boeing assets about 2 years ago. They have a large facility in Wichita and plants in Tulsa and McAlister. They have been shipping airline piece to Washington state for final assembly but maybe they are looking to move final production closer to the parts. OKC is closer to the parts, already has a large number of Boeing employees in the state, and has one of the highest skilled aviation workforces in the country. Not to mention an airport with more available land then just about anyone.

[AFCM]

Good points, Kerry.

[metro]

Yeah, not trying to sound biased but I think OKC really has the competitive edge out of the finalists. Strange how we haven't heard more on this. I hope the City is working on an incentives package that the company can't refuse. This would be perfect for Will Rogers, and as Kerry said, we have a huge skilled aviation workforce. Not to mention out of the cities listed, we have a better quality of life, except maybe Vero Beach, but that is a small town and as others have said, that is a long shot. But all and all we have more things to offer potential workers to do in their free time, etc.

[jbrown84]

If they are already in Wichita, Tulsa, and McAlester, it would really make sense to choose OKC.

[SoonerDave]

Wouldn't surprise me at all - if they make airplane parts - if a site weren't found in the Mid-Del area given that big new MRO facility at Tinker (oops, sorry, that's Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul). That's got HUGE long-term implications for Tinker in particular and the aircraft overhaul business in this region of the country in general. You'd have incredible synergies on military aircraft repairs and have great logistics for shipping products out to just about everywhere via rail/truck.

-soonerdave

[SouthsideSooner]

By Ja’Rena Lunsford
Business Writer
Business and aviation leaders have kept tight-lipped about Oklahoma City possibly becoming home to a large aircraft assembly plant.
But the secret is out now — at least some of it.



Mayor Mick Cornett confirmed Tuesday that Oklahoma City is in the running to welcome a Piper Aircraft plant.

"I can confirm we are a finalist,” Cornett said.

He said he couldn't reveal further details about the possible development. "Anything that is active like that we can't comment on. I just can't get into it.”

Larry Findeiss, executive director of the Oklahoma Aerospace Alliance, said the possible deal has been kept quiet — until now.

"I know it's kind of been a hush, hush thing,” he said.

A Tallahassee newspaper reported the Piper plant would employ up to 1,500 people.

The Vero Beach, Fla.-based aircraft company also is considering Albuquerque, N.M.; Columbia, S.C., Tallahassee, Fla., and Vero Beach for possible plant locations.

Piper Aircraft began producing aircraft in Pennsylvania nearly 80 years ago. The company was originally named Taylor Aircraft Co. and later renamed Piper Aircraft when William T. Piper took it over. He later moved the company to Florida.

Piper's airplanes played a role during World War II when the company redesigned its J-3 for military use. Piper Aircraft's planes were used to train combat pilots. The general aviation manufacturer also produces jets.

The PiperJet starts at $2.2 million. Piper has eight dealers nationally.

Whether Oklahoma City will join the Piper family is yet to be decided. Findeiss said he would like to see Oklahoma City win the race and add more jobs to the state.

"Obviously any aviation job is good,” he said.

[AFCM]

Just to piggyback on Kerry's points regarding Florida, a Piper spokesman indicated, in a recently published article, that property insurance costs will likely prevent the company from setting up shop in the the Sunshine State.

"We used to pay about $400,000 a year for property insurance. Now it's nearly $5 million per year and there are other costs as well. We owe it to shareholders and employees to be the most competitive we can be, but that's difficult because of the very high insurance costs."

This may take Columbia out of consideration as well. Now, on to another one of OKC's opposition: Albuquerque, which is already home to an Eclipse Aviation assembly plant, is being considered because of the strong aviation presence in the area. This is definately a plus for Albuquerque. Eclipse Aviation manufactures Very Light Jets, which are the same aircraft Piper is interested in assembling.

This worries me a little. Forbes listed Albuquerque as the #6 "Best Places for Business and Careers", compared to Oklahoma City at #58.
#6 Albuquerque NM - Forbes.com

Then, on another list, Albuquerque is listed as #1. I don't know which one to cite, so I'm listing them both. On this list, Oklahoma City makes #13, which is a little more comparable.
Albuquerque NM, Best Places For Business 2006 - Forbes.com



Also, let it be known: I hate typing "Albuquerque". Is it possible to come up with a worse name for spelling/typing?

[venture]

Gut reaction, if we go off of a liability thing, Albuquerque (ABQ for the aviation people) is the shoe in. Their severe weather days are obviously much lower than us. Florida you have issue of those tropical things wanting to cause trouble every summer...same for South Carolina, but not to the same extreme. OKC you have to consider the amount of hail issues we have here during the spring...summer...errr and fall. LOL Aircraft makers don't like their new planes getting dinged up. HOWEVER, Wichita has the same issues and they have a massive foot print in the aviation industry there.

We'll see. Whether it goes to KTIK or KOKC...will be interesting. Lots of room at Will Rogers...but also that new development attempts at Tinker.

[AFCM]

Gut reaction, if we go off of a liability thing, Albuquerque (ABQ for the aviation people) is the shoe in. Their severe weather days are obviously much lower than us. Florida you have issue of those tropical things wanting to cause trouble every summer...same for South Carolina, but not to the same extreme. OKC you have to consider the amount of hail issues we have here during the spring...summer...errr and fall. LOL Aircraft makers don't like their new planes getting dinged up. HOWEVER, Wichita has the same issues and they have a massive foot print in the aviation industry there.

We'll see. Whether it goes to KTIK or KOKC...will be interesting. Lots of room at Will Rogers...but also that new development attempts at Tinker.

I was thinking the same thing, but I think tornadoes are a different animal than hurricanes. I believe the issue is more about insurance costs than severe weather, but then again, I'm not Piper. Everything will be assembled indoors and then shipped off to their final destination, so twisters/hail shouldn't affect the planes too much.

[HOT ROD]

I think Oklahoma City definitely wins if you consider quality of life, being a big city (economy of scale/workforce), and available resources. I hope the city is going all out for this - as it would be a welcome addition to the city and could be JUST THE BEGINNING FOR FUTURE SUCH ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Like I have always said - Oklahoma City has some HUGE unrealized potential, all it will take is some major announcement like this (and the NBA) to get the ball rolling nonstop for a landslide of development/announcements.

One thing tho - I want the plant to be located at PWA - Wiley Post and not OKC-Will Rogers International or TIK; those facilities already have employment/commercial opportunities but Wiley Post has minimal maintenance and it would be a boost to that area of town. I think we need to keep Will Rogers focused on commercial or faa sort of expansion/maintenance opportunities and of course, expansion of commercial service.

But then again, if Piper wants to be at a major commercial airport - then give them Will Rogers, whatever it takes to land this and their 1,500 mfg jobs!!! Definitely a great shot-in-the-arm for OKC!!!

[betts]

We're one of the final three cities under consideration:

Albuquerque makes Piper Aircraft's final three : Local : Albuquerque Tribune

[okclee]

So what is it going to take for Okc to land this company??

[Karried]

Maybe letting them know of our interest and pointing out some of the positive reasons for relocation here to OK? We could always send them Jbrown84's recent photos.... our city looks beautiful in those shots.

The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.
2926 Piper Drive
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Phone: (772) 567-4361
Fax Numbers:
Customer Service (772) 978-6573
Marketing & New Piper Sales (772) 978-6592
Parts (772) 978-6588

Piper Aircraft, Inc. - Contact Us

It probably wouldn't hurt.

[JOHNINSOKC]

I'm surprised that the DOK didn't announce that OKC was in the final three cities. If you look at what is left of our competition, I'm beginning to feel a sense of optimism that we are going to land this company. I am confused about what type of jobs are possibly coming, though. In the Albuquerque paper, it says the jobs are for a new headquarters??? Maybe it is a combination of both. I think we can all agree that this is good for OKC, as it stands now.

[HOT ROD]

I think DOKC probably isnt involved because the hq likely would be at Wiley Post or Will Rogers, not downtown. I am, however, surprised the OKC media and/or OKC Chamber is not all over this tho.

1,500 jobs (probably 200 of which will be high paying management/executive) is nothing to slouch over but would be a HUGE injection of wealth into the city.

So what can OKC do to land the company?

Well, we can play hard-ball for once. Why not tout the positives of Oklahoma City and the negatives of the other locations? OKC is by far the largest city and metro area of the three under consideration, and OKC has by far the biggest access to capital. ABQ might have a slightly larger airline presence and Vero might already by hq, but for a company looking to relocate - you can't do any better than OKC.

OKC is the largest of the newest largest cities in the nation. We have world wide access and our workforce is second to none of the competition. And with the NBA coming to town as well as the other attractions we have as a city - our quality of life is tops to the other cities as well.

Throw in all of the other economic, political, and entertainment sectors: and I repeat, Oklahoma City is second to NONE!!!!!!!!!!

OKC should NOT treat this like we did the southwest relocation effor. I think, if OKC had spoke up and done something, then the hq might not still be at Dallas Love Field but instead would be at Will Rogers World Airport. We need to be proactive about this and not so smug.

All we have to do is remember what happened with United Airlines where Indy beat us (yet OKC clearly had the advantage) to remind us about what "sitting on our laurels" will do. Indy stepped up and told United they were bigger than us and had better quality of life - United listened and opened a mtc facility only 200 miles from their hq, not a good move for an airline - hence why the facility is not being fully utilized.

Let's not make the same mistakes. We have a quality of life now that is better or at least the same as an Indy, so let's market ourselves to the world and grow.

and start by landing this fine aviation company!!!

[JOHNINSOKC]

HOTROD, you hit the nail on the head!! I do think that the OKC chamber, as well as the city and state, are all over this. We've been hearing for many months that the state and city are serious about expanding the presence of aerospace in Oklahoma City. I'm wondering if one of the proposed sites is in the MROTC @ Tinker along Douglas Blvd. We have so many options for setting up companies here, it is unreal! I totally agree that OKC is far superior to the other two cities for Piper to eliminate us from the race. Other than the fact that Vero Beach is on a beach and Albuquerque has the mountains nearby, I don't see any other benefits they hold over OKC. Does anyone know if the company's final decision is near?

[AFCM]

I'm surprised that the DOK didn't announce that OKC was in the final three cities.

Give it a few days. We have a thread about how our local media sucks in the Arts/Media/Radio forum.

[okclee]

Give it a few days. We have a thread about how our local media sucks in the Arts/Media/Radio forum.

Very good point, after we on Okc talk discuss something it usually makes the news in the DOK, a few days later.

[betts]

Actually, I saw one article that said Piper did not want to see cities publicizing this decision-making process, and I thought perhaps our mayor and chamber were following the letter of the law. It would be nice to know if we've offered an acceptable compensation package, but it seems that it hasn't hurt us to keep this information out of the news.

[venture]

Okay my thoughts on this...

1) The United MRO facility in Indianapolis has already been shut down by United and sold off to FedEx. The location being 200 miles from their HQ had no effect on it...O'Hare is a mess and it was the best option for them.

2) People that continue to think that OKC had a shot of getting the Southwest HQ are not tuned in with reality. It was nothing more than a power / PR play.

3) If part of this is moving the company's HQ, then I would worry about it being a ploy to strong arm lower costs out of Florida. If not...then we should be better off.

[HOT ROD]

venture, I agree somewhat.

But I think the hq portion of the Piper package would be rather small compared to the mfg injection that would take part. That being said, I honestly can not remember what the breakout is/was but if memory serves me correct - I think 200 vs. 1300 mfg jobs is the spread. Anyone else remember?

Hmm, so United sold the Indy center? I guess no lost milk after all but it sure did OKC a LOT OF GOOD nonetheless!! Look at us now as a city, and EVER improving!

[HOT ROD]

Oh, and one more thing; uno mas.

I wonder if Piper asked the competitors to be 'hush hush' about the situation, then why did ABQ publish their article. Of course, it did not say much but it did say that all remaining cities had incentive packages that were impressive. No details, but wouldn't that alone violate a request for silence in the media?

And if ABQ can post this, why couldn't Oklahoma City - a MUCH bigger city and region? This was my point, why we don't always act like a big city when it comes to many things. We sit and let small time places out-shine us or beat us to the punch (please change this folks).

On the other hand, if ABQ gets 'disqualified' for the news story then - hey! We only have Vero to beat - which should be extremely easy unless Venture is right.

Thoughts?