Boeing has decided to stay and expand in Jacksonville for the foreseeable future.
The Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) and Boeing announced Thursday they've entered into a 25-year lease agreement that will expand Boeing’s maintenance, repair and overhaul operations at its Cecil Field site, located at Cecil Airport.
WJCT News partner The Florida Times-Union reported Thursday the deal is expected to result in Boeing adding about 400 more jobs at Cecil Airport. The average wage of the new jobs will be more than $65,000 plus benefits, JAX Chamber officials told the Jacksonville Aviation Authority board when it unanimously approved the agreement during a special meeting Thursday.
JAA will build and lease new facilities to Boeing on approximately 30 acres located on the northeast side of Cecil Airport, near Boeing’s existing site.
The new construction will eventually house Boeing’s on-site operations and include nearly 270,000 square feet of hangar space and more than 100,000 square feet of office and support shop space. Construction work by JAA will begin in fall 2021 with a planned opening in January 2024.
“This investment in facility improvements supports our ability to deliver on current and future defense services work at the Cecil Field site and aligns with Boeing’s infrastructure optimization efforts,” said Warren Helm, Boeing Cecil Field site leader, in an email to WJCT News.
“Since taking ownership from the Navy, the Authority developed Cecil into one of the preeminent airports for aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul in the United States,” Jacksonville Aviation Authority CEO Mark VanLoh said. “This announcement is one of the most significant in the JAA’s history and a testament to what an economic powerhouse Cecil Airport is for Northeast Florida.”
Since opening in 1999, Boeing’s Jacksonville employees have maintained, modified and upgraded nearly 1,000 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.
Mayor Lenny Curry called the announcement, “great news,” tweeting: “Proud that @CityofJax continues to drive job growth and build on its proud legacy of supporting our armed forces.”
Boeing's Jacksonville operation is home to a flight control repair center that provides structural repairs to F/A-18 A-F and EA-18G flight control surfaces, and where the Boeing team converts F/A-18 Super Hornets into flight demonstration aircraft for the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angel squadron.
Boeing’s support for the U.S. Air Force QF-16 program, which converts retired F-16s into the next generation of combat training and testing for autonomous aerial targets, is also based at Boeing Cecil Field.
Thursday’s announcement did not include cost estimates for the new facilities or the lease’s financial terms.
