Gilbert, Ariz. Sites Strong Aviation Growth and Business Advantages at MRO Americas Conference 2010

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aviation Week MRO Americas 2010 Conference--The Business Development Division of Gilbert, Arizona, in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (PMGA), will be promoting its unique business opportunities and incentives at the Aviation Week MRO Americas 2010 Conference being held this April 20-22 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Centrally located between two major airports, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, Gilbert is experiencing strong economic growth in aerospace, aviation, and defense industries by attracting leading companies such as Lockheed Martin, Orbital Sciences, SAI Technology, and Western Air International.

“We are proud to work alongside Gilbert’s Business Development staff to attract additional aerospace companies to Arizona, further demonstrating their commitment and collaborative spirit – necessary ingredients to having success in this market.”

Gilbert’s Mayor John Lewis, along with its Business Development staff, will be meeting with interested companies and site selectors from around the U.S. and world to promote Gilbert’s world-class aviation resources, unique business opportunities, R&D advantages, and investment incentives designed to attract companies. Gilbert’s Business Development team will be located in the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport booth # 2654 & 2656.

“The Town of Gilbert is to be commended for their success in bringing high-quality aerospace jobs to the Valley,” PMGA Executive Director Lynn Kusy said. “We are proud to work alongside Gilbert’s Business Development staff to attract additional aerospace companies to Arizona, further demonstrating their commitment and collaborative spirit – necessary ingredients to having success in this market.”

“Aviation and aerospace represent a significant part of Gilbert’s economic success and one of our most strategic industry sectors for the future,” said Gilbert Mayor John Lewis. “We are excited to meet with companies interested in learning more about our accessibility to a large engineering and aviation workforce, market access, infrastructure, and other unique benefits to locating in Gilbert.”

“SAI Technology has been located in Gilbert for over a decade. In November, we were fortunate enough to relocate to a new facility in Gilbert and were very pleased with the assistance that we received from Gilbert’s Business Development Division,” stated Kevin Owens, President and CEO of SAI Technology.

Key Aviation Companies in Gilbert, Arizona

• Fortune 100 Company Lockheed Martin chose Gilbert as the location of its lead business unit for research, development and production of electro-optics and smart munitions systems.

• Orbital Sciences recently acquired a state-of-the-art, 135,000-square-foot satellite manufacturing facility in Gilbert to build and test small- and medium-class space systems for commercial, military and civil government clients.

• SAI Technology, a full-service, FAA Certified and EASA approved avionics and instrument repair facilities, recently relocated to a new 15,000-square-foot facility in Gilbert. SAI Technology’s customers include major airlines and Fortune 500 companies.

• Western Air International, a global distributor of quality aftermarket aerospace products.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is responsible for generating over $500 million in annual economic activity, and its industrial airpark is home to more than 35 aviation companies, including Cessna, Embraer and Hawker Beechcraft. PMGA recently began construction on a $8.9M FAA funded expansion project to add 25,000 square feet and 2 new boarding gates to the airport. It is surrounded by a foreign trade zone that provides qualifying organizations an 80% reduction in real and personal property tax.

Education & Workforce

Gilbert is located adjacent to a unique, 1,000-acre education, training and research campus offering Gilbert employers a workforce dedicated to the areas of engineering, aviation, IT and automated manufacturing through Arizona State University Polytechnic, Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s Aviation Division, U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and U.S. Army Reserve Center. These educational opportunities also aid in the state of Arizona’s recognition as the 5th largest provider for aerospace employment in the country. Gilbert has access to an educated labor pool that includes 70% of the Phoenix metropolitan area’s engineering and aviation workforce within a 45-minute commute of the community.

About Gilbert, Ariz. Business Development Services

As a division of Gilbert's development services department, business development is committed to the attraction and retention of business and industry to the Gilbert community. The division provides expert site selection services, operational cost analysis, incentive comparisons, workforce studies and the ability to connect knowledge assets that spur innovation.

About Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport

The Airport was established in 1994 and is owned and operated by the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority, which consists of the Gila River Indian Community, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, and Queen Creek. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport offers non-stop passenger services via Allegiant Air with flights to 20 cities nationwide. For more information, visit www.phxmesagateway.org.

About Gilbert, Arizona

Gilbert, Arizona is located approximately 10 miles southeast of Phoenix, Arizona. With a population of 220,000 Gilbert was ranked the 4^th fastest-growing large municipality in the nation according to CNN/Money Magazine. Gilbert also has one of the finest K-12 education systems in Arizona and ranks 28^th out of the top 100 best places to live in America. For additional details on Gilbert’s low operating costs, established aviation and aerospace employers, incentives and available workforce, please contact the Business Development Division at busdev@gilbertaz.gov or 480.503.6010, or visit: http://www.gilbertaz.gov/busdevmedia/default.cfm.