Aug. 29--A military-cargo airline formerly based in New York has chosen Orlando as the site of its new headquarters and more than 100 high-wage jobs, state and local officials said Wednesday.
Lured in part by economic incentives potentially worth more than $1 million, National Air Cargo Inc. picked Orlando for its new home after a yearlong, nationwide search involving several rival cities, officials said. The average annual salary will top $61,000, according to Enterprise Florida, the state's Orlando-based economic-development arm.
The airline, which provides freight transport for military and industrial customers, was formerly based in Orchard Park, N.Y., and Ypsilanti, Mich. It will spend about $875,000 renovating its new headquarters space in an office complex near Orlando International Airport.
"In addition to our employees working in Orlando and calling Florida home, we will have many more employees coming to the state on a regular basis as part of their jobs," National Air Vice President Jeff Miller said in a prepared statement.
State and local officials lined up a group of incentives for National Air Cargo, including a $200,000 state grant and a Qualified Targeted Industry tax-rebate package potentially worth $620,000; a $126,000 cash grant from the city of Orlando; in-kind employee-screening services worth $52,000 from Workforce Central Florida; and undisclosed employee-training funds from Workforce Florida.
National Air Cargo's interest in moving to Orlando was disclosed last year, though no decision was made at the time, according to documents filed in August 2012 with the city. National Air Cargo was also reportedly considering Huntsville, Ala., and Detroit, among other locations.
On Wednesday, National Air Cargo cited Central Florida's large defense industry, its aviation businesses and its airport resources in making its decision. The new headquarters will take up 25,000 square feet -- the entire fifth floor -- in the Citadel II office complex at 5955 T.G. Lee Blvd.
The company is already using temporary space in the building until the fifth-floor renovation is complete.
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