Feb. 27, 2013

An Air Force contract will bring 50 jobs to Jacksonville.

The Sierra Nevada Corporation was awarded a $427 million contract on Wednesday to build A-29 Super Tuscano light attack support aircraft in Jacksonville.

The contract has the potential to grow to $950 million, according to a release from the City of Jacksonville.

"Amid all the concern over federal budget cuts, this is some good news for Jacksonville," said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in a statement.

Final assembly of those aircraft will take place at the Jacksonville International Airport and two per month will be delivered starting in the summer of 2014.

The SNC, which is a partner of Embraer, competed with Beechcraft for the contract.

"A great team came together to make a solid case for building this plane in Northeast Florida, resulting in a 'win - win' for the First Coast economy and our national defense," Congressman Ander Crenshaw said in a statement. "More importantly, this contract underscores the deep confidence by our military that Jacksonville continues to be a military aviation center of excellence."  

Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown traveled with Gov. Rick Scott to Brazil in October 2011 and advocated for Embraer to assemble the A-29 Super Tuscano planes in Jacksonville.

Brown also met with Michael Donley, U.S. Secretary of the Air Force in December 2011 to advocate for Jacksonville. Brown cited the efforts of First Coast lawmakers and agencies like the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.
 
"This is great economic news for Jacksonville. The award reaffirms that Jacksonville is the most military and business friendly city in the United States," Brown said. "This announcement is yet another example of what we can accomplish when we work together. Today's success was a real team effort."

First Coast News

Source: http://fcnews.tv/YDRkx4