On Thursday Boeing broke ground to start the construction of a new 370,000-square-foot maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility located at Cecil Airport in Jacksonville, U.S. state of Florida.
Once complete, it will support Boeing's ability to deliver readiness outcomes for U.S. government customers, the company said.
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) is leasing the property northeast of Cecil Airport at 5868 Approach Road. Boeing’s CEO expects this to bring in more than 300 new jobs. The facility will hold eight hangars and plenty of office space.
“Creating jobs and expanding our aviation manufacturing base here and Duval county is critical to establish innovative technological leadership,” said Jacksonville mayor Lenny Curry
The jobs will include mechanics, electricians and engineers. The new facility is expected to be state-of-the-art for maintaining, restoring, repairing and upgrading military aircrafts like F-18s, getting them ready for missions and combat.
“This is sort of multipronged. We are going to invest in the community, we are investing in the facility, and we are going to continue to deliver to our customer to support the mission.” Boeing Global Services CEO, Ted Colbert said.
Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry announced a $425,000 grant to Boeing for infrastructure projects at this new site, including fencing, storm water drainage areas and sewage lines.
The groundbreaking ceremony celebrates a 25-year lease agreement between Boeing and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA), according to the company.
Under the agreement, the JAA will construct and lease to Boeing new facilities on approximately 30 acres near Boeing's existing MRO site. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2023.
“This is going to make Cecil Airport wide open to the world,” said Jacksonville Aviation Authority CEO Mark VanLoh said. “We are available for businesses to come, move to Jacksonville, and set up shop at this airport.
Colbert hoping this new move leads Boeing to become the standard for aviation and aerospace and the new facility that costs around $116 million is expected to open in 2023.
Boeing has operated its existing MRO facilities at Cecil Airport since 1999. According to a news release, the company has modified and upgraded 1,030 aircraft for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps including the F/A-18 A-D Hornet; F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet; and EA-18G Growler.
The company also uses Cecil to convert F/A-18 Super Hornets into flight demonstration aircraft for the Blue Angel squadron and modified retired F-16s into autonomous aerial targets for the Air Force.
Boeing’s Flight Control Repair Center provides structural repairs to F/A-18 A-F; EA-18G and the Navy’s P-8 aircraft.
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