Luring the aviation industry to the Midlands

[krazeeboi]

Columbia and Sumter leaders will meet later this month to begin developing a strategy to bring the aviation industry

[krazeeboi]

Wow, no commentary? You guys have no thoughts about this?

[Doug L]

Wow, no commentary? You guys have no thoughts about this?

It's a good thing. Lure them!

[Spartan]

I read the article(s) a while back, and they are indeed exciting. I am just not certain what else there is to say at this point. If they coud land some jobs it would really be beneficial to the area. Particualrly Sumter, which needs some diversification and less dependence on Shaw.

[krazeeboi]

And Columbia needs less dependence on public dollars (state gov't, USC, Ft. Jackson) and needs to lure more private industry.

[monsoon]

There is a private airline, Satsair, in based in Greenville. They are offering point to point service and are relatively expensive, but they are reporting a big uptick in traffic from business travelers. Their busiest route is the one between Charleston & Greenville. I think we are going to see more of this kind of service and the small planes that are required to handle the business. The above mentioned Hondajet would be an example of this.

[krazeeboi]

Hmmm, that's interesting, didn't know that.

[Infinite1]

I've been hearing commercials for a similar styled airline here specifically offering transport between Charleston and Atlanta. I can't remember the name, but the number is 1-877-skip-atl..(the power of advertising, huh)

[krazeeboi]

It was reported a few weeks ago that Rolls Royce (aviation division, not automotive) expressed interest in possibly having an operation here in SC. Columbia would certainly be a dark horse here as Charleston and Greenville already have these types companies (an aviation/aerospace cluster is being developed in Charleston), and thus a trained labor pool to draw from, but it would be interesting if Columbia was in the cards.

[gs3]

There is a private airline, Satsair, in based in Greenville. They are offering point to point service and are relatively expensive, but they are reporting a big uptick in traffic from business travelers. Their busiest route is the one between Charleston & Greenville. I think we are going to see more of this kind of service and the small planes that are required to handle the business. The above mentioned Hondajet would be an example of this.

[Spartan]

There is a private airline, Satsair, in based in Greenville. They are offering point to point service and are relatively expensive, but they are reporting a big uptick in traffic from business travelers. Their busiest route is the one between Charleston & Greenville. I think we are going to see more of this kind of service and the small planes that are required to handle the business. The above mentioned Hondajet would be an example of this.

[krazeeboi]

I don't think this possible development is specifically tied into the aviation strategy between Columbia and Sumter, but it would be a good start/selling point.

[Captain Worley]

Here's an Aviation Week article on the Piperjet. I really hope this project comes to Columbia.

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/sto...le%20Relocation

Here's a page on the aircraft. Different engine location...

http://www.newpiper.com/piperjet/

[krazeeboi]

^I hope so too. It would serve to help diversify Columbia's economy even more and give the aviation strategy some legs.

[krazeeboi]

Premier Air Center/West Star Aviation of suburban St. Louis, a jet-maintenance company, is looking to move to Columbia Metropolitan Airport, bringing 80 jobs and a regular flow of corporate jets. The company is negotiating a lease with the airport for space to service corporate jets and hopes to operate in Columbia within a year.

[Spartan]

Glad to hear it. I assume that aircraft maintenance requires a fair amount of education (electronic & mechanical engineering, etc), meaning white collar jobs.

[krazeeboi]

I don't think this possible development is specifically tied into the aviation strategy between Columbia and Sumter, but it would be a good start/selling point.

[Captain Worley]

Glad to hear it. I assume that aircraft maintenance requires a fair amount of education (electronic & mechanical engineering, etc), meaning white collar jobs.

[krazeeboi]

Tallahassee has offered an $80 million incentives package to lure the Piper Jet manufacturing facility. I wonder what Columbia and South Carolina is doing? I know our economic development officials tend to be tight-lipped about potential projects, so I guess that's why I haven't seen anything in the press as of late.

[krazeeboi]

Unfortunately, Columbia is no longer being considered for the Piper Jet manufacturing facility. A spokesman for the company said that despite its strengths, Columbia did not compare as favorably as competing cities when the company considered some of its key location criteria such as a more established aviation sector and a ready work force.

[Spartan]

Its hard to establish an aviation sector if aviation companies won't locate in Cola.

[krazeeboi]

True; you've gotta start somewhere, and having the jet maintenance facility relocating from suburban St. Louis is a good start.

[TheCarolinaKing]

Ahh Tallahasse, my old home. They are aggressive of about the progression of that City, not that we aren't, but when you are the Capital City of a state as big and PROGRESSIVE as FLA, its easier to pull money out of the wazoo for new developement.

[krazeeboi]

^They didn't land the plant either. I think Albuquerque is going to get it. They are trying very hard to build up their aviation industry and already have more to work with in that regard than some other cities that were/are under consideration.