New Aviation Business Coming to DeKalb

May 31, 2012
Code 1 Aviation decided to move some of its services from its Florida base to Illinois to better serve a large number of clients in the Midwest.

DeKALB – The DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport soon could house vintage warbird aircraft after the City Council approved a lease with an aviation restoration company.

Code 1 Aviation – a company that provides restoration, maintenance, sales, support, training and consulting services – decided to move some of its services from its Florida base to Illinois to better serve a large number of clients in the Midwest.

Nathan Jones, president of the company, said the specialization in rare military jets has made Code 1 a premier service agency among flight enthusiasts and collectors. Jones and his employees have serviced models such as the L-39, Su-27, F-5, A-4, MiG-17 and many others.

“We like the small-town feel of the airport,” Jones told council members Tuesday.

Jones said he expects Code 1 to generate between $400,000 and $600,000 in revenue from the DeKalb location in the first year. He also said there is an aggressive five-year plan for expansion, but the lease only goes through April 2014.

The company will have 3,600-square-feet of hangar space. The city will receive $400 annually and a substantial increase in jet fuel tax revenue.

First Ward Alderman David Jacobson said growing up in the “Top Gun” era has made him excited and envious of the airport’s newest addition.

“You have probably the coolest job I’ve ever heard of,” Jacobson said.

Jones received support from all the Council members, including Mayor Kris Povlsen, who thanked him for considering DeKalb and said the business would be a great addition to the city.

Along with hearing about potential revenue increases from a new business Tuesday, the council also heard that residents likely would see significant savings on their electric bills starting in August or September.

Public Works Director T.J. Moore said the city received seven bids for electrical aggregation, but could not reveal the amounts. He said more information would be available to the council at the next meeting and city staff is “very pleased” with the bids.

Sycamore recently locked into a 4.81-cents-per-kilowatt-hour rate that is expected to save the average single-family home $350 a year.