DOVER, Del. (June 9, 2010) – Governor Jack Markell and Secretary Alan Levin of the Delaware Economic Development Office, joined company executives at Summit Aviation to celebrate the company’s 50-year anniversary by breaking ground on a planned expansion project, which will bring new jobs to Delaware.
Summit will construct a 78,000-square-foot expansion and renovate the current 160,000-square-feet of existing space on its present 550-acre airpark in Middletown. The new project will create additional hangars, workshops, warehouses, a training center and office space to accommodate the needs of Summit’s customers.
“Summit’s parent company could have expanded in any of their facilities around the country, but they chose Delaware,” Markell said. “The construction will put people to work building facilities to help Delaware keep its edge in innovation and help more Delawareans embark on great careers at Summit.”
DEDO awarded Summit a performance-based grant from the Delaware Strategic Fund in the amount of $1.36 million to help the company expand the site and add up to 188 new jobs over a three year time period.
“We are proud to celebrate Summit’s 50-year anniversary and future commitment to Delaware,” said Secretary Levin. “With the state’s investment, Summit will be propelled into new business opportunities creating jobs for Delawareans.”
Greenwich AeroGroup, Summit’s parent company, is also making a $12 million capital investment at the Middletown site.
“The partnership between Summit Aviation and the Delaware Economic Development Office helped fuel the expansion plans for the new hangar, but also ensures we have the trained workforce to drive this growth,” said Robert Fitzpatrick, president of Summit Aviation. “The state of Delaware is a great partner.”
The expansion gets underway as the company celebrates its 50-year anniversary in business. Established in 1960 by Richard C. DuPont as a small airpark, Summit has grown to a full service aviation center and repair facility. Summit offers heavy maintenance, engineering training and major modifications for both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters.
The company performs work for the U.S. government including the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as local and state police agencies. This expansion increases their ability to expand into rotorcraft, fixed wing aircraft, aircraft engine maintenance repair and overhaul capabilities. Summit is a supplier to Boeing for the CH-47 “Chinook” twin-rotor helicopters, used by the U.S. Army since 1962. Summit is positioned to service and modernize the helicopters for Boeing as new upgrades to the new CH-47 models are expected to keep them in service for decades.
For more information about how to apply for a job with Summit Aviation, please visit www.greenwichaerogroup.com or contact Robin Johnson at 302-449-1000.About the Delaware Economic Development Office
The Delaware Economic Development Office is an executive state agency responsible for attracting new investors and businesses to the state, promoting the expansion of existing industry, assisting small and minority-owned businesses, promoting and developing tourism and creating new and improved employment opportunities for all citizens of the State. DEDO is a Certified Economic Development Organization, accredited by the International Economic Development Council. Visit dedo.delaware.gov.Summit Aviation
Located in Middletown, Delaware, the company is a subsidiary of Greenwich AreoGroup. Summit Aviation offers aircraft and engine maintenance and modification services on Bell, Eurocopter, Sikorsky, Boeing and MD helicopters as well as on Pilatus, Cessna Caravan Beechcraft, King Airs, Beechjets and other light jet model aircraft. The company also provides engine maintenance and support to its customers which include Pratt and Whitney, Turbomeca and others.
