National award cites Mesa as a top location for aerospace

Mesa has been selected as one of five national recipients of Expansion Solutions Magazine’s 2008 Award of Excellence in Aerospace. The award recognizes organizations that have made exceptional progress in economic development by successfully recruiting and retaining businesses in the aerospace industry.

Mesa comprises nearly 20% of aerospace-related jobs within the Phoenix metropolitan area and the City’s additional gains in this sector during 2008 were significant. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is now home to several coveted tenants, including Embraer Air, Cessna, Hawker Beechcraft and Crownair Aviation. Falcon Field, now the 4th busiest general aviation airport in the country in terms of takeoffs and landings, had 59 new hangars constructed on the airport this year and is home to 1,310 high-quality jobs. Other aerospace companies invested in the area, such as Boeing and MD Helicopters, have long recognized Mesa for its high-skilled labor force, ideal weather and extensive opportunities for growth.

“This national award truly marks Mesa as the right place for businesses and corporations seeking a strategic, competitive edge in today’s aviation market,” said Economic Development Director Bill Jabjiniak.

Other recipients of Expansion Solutions’ aerospace award included the Caroline County Department of Economic Development in Bowling Green, Va.; the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce Council in Huntsville, Ala.; Metro Little Rock Alliance in Little Rock, Ark. and the Monroe Office of Economic Development in Monroe, N.C. Awards were also given in the industries of Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive, Biotech, Defense, Finance and Business Services, Food Processing, High Technology, Logistics and Warehouse/Distribution.

Expansion Solutions Magazine is a bimonthly publication distributed to approximately 20,000 key site selection consultants and corporate real estate brokers nationwide. The magazine’s October/November issue annually features the hot spots for different industries in the United States. To learn more about the development organizations recognized with an Expansion Solutions 2008 Award of Excellence, visit www.expansionsolutionsmagazine.com.

Technorati Tags: aerospace, Expansion Solutions Magazine, Mesa Arizona, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport