Well, so much for moving to the Big Easy. Hawker Beechcraft Corp. announced today that the State of Kansas has ante’d up $60 million to keep the OEM and 4,000 jobs in Wichita, a figure that convinced Chairman and CEO Bill Boisture to unpack his bags and stay put.
Earlier this year Boisture said he was contemplating moving the entire company to Louisiana, to take advantage of incentives it has proposed as an enticement.
Today’s agreement was announced by Boisture, along with Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson (D), Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer and Sedgwick County Commissioner Karl Peterjohn. The state’s package requires Hawker Beechcraft to maintain its current product lines in Wichita over the next 10 years.
Thanks to the new pact, Boisture said, “We intend to have the best trained work force in the industry to power the development, manufacturing and projection of our diversified product line of business turbine aircraft, trainers and special mission offerings to emerging global markets from here in Kansas.”
The package includes $10 million over three years for tuition reimbursement and training for employees attending the National Aviation Training Center, Wichita State University or any of the other Kansas Regents’ institutions. Hawker Beechcraft will also receive $10 million in the first year, followed by $5 million each year for the next four years, for other expenses related to the project, such as the purchase or relocation of equipment, product development, labor recruitment, or building costs.
In addition the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County have also agreed in principle to each provide $2.5 million over the course of five years.
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