Aviation Company to Create 100 Jobs at Griffiss

Rome, N.Y. -- Aircraft maintenance company Strategic Global Aviation plans to take over a vacant hangar at Griffiss International Airport in January, bringing at least 100 jobs to the former Air Force base.

The company has signed a five-year, $1.96 million lease to occupy Building 101, starting Jan. 1, 2020, at the county-owned airport, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. said Wednesday.

That’s the same building that another aircraft maintenance company, Premier Aviation, closed in the summer of 2018, citing insufficient revenues. Premier’s departure eliminated 127 jobs.

Starting in early 2020, Strategic Global will begin work on a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to modify C-130 aircraft. The first phase of the contract is expected to create 50 jobs, with an additional 50 jobs created in later work phases as additional contracts come on line, according to Picente.

He said the company has an option to renew the lease for an additional five years at a cost of $2.02 million.

“Bringing aircraft maintenance and services back to the hangars at Rome is a huge win for Oneida County and is important to maintaining our workforce and facilities for the future,” Picente said in a statement. “The work Strategic Global Aviation performs is not limited to simply maintenance. It provides a range of services and specializes in exclusive contract work to modify military aircraft that truly sets it apart from others in the industry.”

Strategic Global, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business formed in 2017, performs aircraft maintenance, modification and inspection predominantly to military aircraft, and also provides aviation consulting and management.

Google Maps

Premier Aviation closed its aircraft maintenance center in Building 101 at at Griffiss International Airport in August of 2018. Strategic Global Aviation has signed a lease to take over the building in January 2020. (Google Maps)

The company will occupy 61,440 square feet of Hangar Bay 3 of Building 101, along with 5,500 square feet of office space in the administrative offices section and 29,538 square feet of back shop space in the building’s center.

Oneida County recently assumed ownership of the building from the 394 Hangar Road Corp. and has implemented a $15.3 million energy overhaul of multiple buildings at Griffiss, including Buildings 101 and 100. The project is converting the facilities from steam to natural gas to reduce energy costs.

“Transitioning from steam to natural gas has made these facilities a more attractive option to potential tenants, and was a key factor in securing a lease with Strategic Global Aviation in Building 101 as it significantly reduced what the cost of its utilities would be,” Picente said.

Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Have a question or news tip? Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148

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