February 28, 2013 – With yesterday's announcement that the Air Force has awarded Sierra Nevada Corp. and Embraer a $427 million contract to build light attack aircraft, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority officials say the agency is “ready and eager” to move the project forward.
    
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has an agreement with JAA to assemble the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX). The assembly facility will employ an initial 50 high wage jobs.
 
“This is great news for Jacksonville and our growing aviation industry,” said JAA Executive Director/CEO Steve Grossman.  “We are ready and eager to work with the Sierra Nevada/Embraer team to launch this much anticipated project at JAX.”
                                                             
As part of its lease agreement with Embraer, JAA will spend $1.2 million renovating a 41,574-square-foot airplane hangar, scheduled to be completed in April.