Adam Aircraft Industries, currently based in Pueblo and Centennial, Colo, is looking to head south with its A700 Adam Jet, according to the Dallas (Texas) Business Journal. Centennial Airport manager Robert Olislagers confirms to AVweb that Adam is looking, and has been for some number of months. Olislagers says Colorado has precious few economic development dollars to dole out and that has hamstrung his efforts to secure the A700 final assembly facility at Centennial Airport. Olislagers is high on the company and the A700 personal jet. "I think whoever comes out of the gate first with a microjet will make a significant impact. It is something we desperately wanted to keep here, but we had nothing to offer." According to the Dallas Business Journal, the Big "D" does have enticing incentives in the form of rent support, training grants and low-cost loans. Adam officials are reportedly close to signing for a 120,000-square-foot facility at Love Field. It doesn't hurt that the company already has a Dallas connection. According to the Journal, Dallas oilman Ray Hunt purchased $7.5 million in company stock in April, making him the second-largest outside investor. Adam founder Rick Adam tells the Journal he is optimistic that the A700 shop could employ 300 to 400 people by 2008, and he hopes to have it up and running by December of this year. For the time being, at least, the A500 production facility that employs about 290, and other offices, will remain in Colorado. Olislagers is worried that won't last. "Rick Adam is one of the most astute business people I know," he tells AVweb. "If he sees a competitive advantage by being somewhere else, he will move."
Email this article
