N E W S
| June 21, 2007 |
Grant will help renovate hangar for company to expand workforce |
| WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced today the Great Falls International Airport authority has been awarded $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA). The funds will be used to renovate a hangar which will then be leased to Avmax, a Calgary-based aviation company. Last year, Avmax opened an aircraft maintenance operation in Great Falls. “Economic development for Montana is one of my top priorities in Congress, and this grant will directly lead to the addition of good paying jobs for Great Falls,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “We’ve been working closely with Great Falls International Airport on this project, and they have done a tremendous job in expanding the area’s avionics industry. My hat’s off to Director Cynthia Schultz and everyone there for getting this done.” In December of 2005, Avmax announced it had selected Great Falls as the site for a U.S. aircraft maintenance facility. The company performs required maintenance checks and repairs on mid-sized regional jets. The first phase of the venture brought 70-80 jobs to the area, and has been operational since mid-2006. The $1.2 million EDA grant could lead to as many as 120 additional jobs and generate $500,000 in private investment. "Denny's support for Aviation is a standard we can count on,” said Cynthia Schultz, Director of the Great Falls International Airport. “We appreciate his efforts in assisting us to secure the EDA Grant and continuing to build a strong future for Aviation in Montana.” |
