Perhaps it’s the incentives directed specifically at aerospace company investment. Perhaps it’s the presence of three national laboratories and dozens of others, three Air Force bases and three test facilities. Perhaps it’s New Mexico’s wide open skies (the unrestricted airspace, at least — but even the restricted space is beneficial to developers of certain aircraft) and usually clear weather.
Perhaps it’s a combination of these factors, but something is triggering a sonic boom in aerospace investment lately, with companies pulling up stakes and relocating their headquarters to the Land of Enchantment.
In September 2012, Gov. Susana Martinez, Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry, Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Jon Barela and other officials took part in Air USA‘s announcement that it will relocate its corporate headquarters from Quincy, Ill., to Albuquerque. Air USA provides tactical aircraft services to U. S. defense agencies, defense contractors and NATO allies. It is expected to employ up to 200 personnel at its Albuquerque location and primarily hire U.S. military veterans, many of whom would fill the same type of positions as would be present in an operational fighter squadron.
“Air USA is the kind of company that complements New Mexico’s existing work force and infrastructure,” Governor Martinez said. “We welcome not only the 200 direct jobs that will be created as a result of their corporate headquarters moving to Albuquerque, but we also anticipate important economic benefit from hosting numerous out-of-state military units that will be traveling to New Mexico throughout the year to train with Air USA’s fleet of foreign fighter aircraft.”
Air USA will be seeking accountants, contracts experts and proposal writers. Over the next three years Air USA will be seeking additional qualified pilots, crew chiefs, avionics men, weapons loaders, munitions handlers and life support personnel. With growth in personnel, additional middle and upper level management positions will be needed similar to the structure and organizational make-up of an operational fighter squadron.
Jobs for Veterans
“We are pleased to make New Mexico the new home of Air USA,” said Don Kirlin, Air USA founder and president. “New Mexico has a significant veteran population and a local, skilled work force in Albuquerque that understands fighter aircraft operations, and we believe that our proximity to local training ranges and flight test ranges will help us support our customer base and lead to further growth for our company. New Mexico plays such an important role in our national security, and given the state’s efforts to encourage and promote business development, we feel New Mexico will be a great fit for the work we do.”
Economic Development Secretary Barela said the Martinez Administration is focusing its recruitment efforts on the aerospace and defense industry. “Aerospace companies like Air USA help enhance the use of New Mexico military bases, provide opportunities for military veterans and bring high-wage jobs to the state.” Air USA is the second aviation company in the past year to move its headquarters to Albuquerque.
“We must protect the public investments we’ve made, such as Spaceport New Mexico. Taxpayers have already spent more than $209 million on this venture. But now, we risk losing this investment. The states competing with us for Spaceport business have passed a bill protecting companies from lawsuit abuse. Because we didn’t pass this last year, a company called XCOR Aerospace chose to locate in Texas, over New Mexico. Again, it’s about competition. Let’s protect our investment in Spaceport and pass lawsuit abuse reform this session.”
-From Gov. Susana Martinez’s State of the State address, January 13, 2013
In April 2012, Bendix/King, a division of Honeywell Aerospace, a major avionics supplier, announced it was moving its headquarters to Albuquerque, creating 140 jobs. Governor Martinez and Economic Development Department Secretary Jon Barela worked closely with executives from Honeywell and Bendix/King to recruit the company to move to New Mexico, employing various state economic development incentives that encourage growth and hiring, such as the state’s High Wage Tax Credit and Job Training Incentive Program. The City of Albuquerque and Albuquerque Economic Development also worked with Honeywell and Bendix/King to bring the company’s operations to central New Mexico.
Kevin Gould, president, Bendix/King
The move paves the way for Bendix/King to operate as a consumer-focused business for the general aviation market. The company will concentrate on developing and delivering a broad offering of panel-mount avionics and accessories to help improve pilots’ flying experience and safety. Additionally, while it will operate more autonomously to better serve the consumer market, the company will have access to intellectual property and financial resources of Honeywell Aerospace.
“Albuquerque provides a compelling opportunity for Bendix/King to create a stand-alone headquarters in a city and state focused on supporting the growth and development of the aerospace industry,” said Kevin Gould, president, Bendix/King. “With a growing talent base of aerospace professionals, compelling incentives and a better weather environment for year-round flight testing, we’re well positioned to leverage our proud legacy of innovative flight system technologies to meet the needs of the next generation of general aviation aircraft pilots.”
Bendix/King is a division of Honeywell Aerospace, which is a major employer in New Mexico. The Honeywell Albuquerque facility is one of its largest in the United States. Activities are under way to establish the new Bendix/King headquarters onsite at the existing Honeywell Aerospace Albuquerque facility.