Governor Bobby Jindal announced at a press conference Friday afternoon an award totaling over a million and a half dollars to companies that do business at Chennault in Lake Charles.
"I'm pleased to announce the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation awarded a total of $1.5 million to two companies at Chennault to retain hundreds of jobs and also to help create over 130 brand new jobs here at Chennault and in Southwest Louisiana," Jindal said.
The award comes from the Economic Development Award Program.
"It's another step in creating good paying jobs so that our folks can stay here, instead of leaving the state, to pursue their dreams," he said.
Aeroframe was awarded $375,000. Over the course of two years, the Aeroframe expansion project will create at least 50 new jobs, with a minimum average pay of $50,000 per year before benefits, and help to retain 300 existing jobs at Chennault.
Northrop Grumman was awarded $1.2 million.
"That will allow them to construct a 20,000 square foot air conditioned assembly building for their maintenance and modification center. That'll help to create 82 jobs and retain 217 existing jobs," Jindal said.
The Chennault International Airport Authority will also be helping to match the state's investment.
For Aeroframe, the award enables installation of a new tail dock at the airport, which will increase Aeroframe’s capacity for aircraft repair and maintenance business and improve the company’s global competitiveness, Jindal indicated.
Aeroframe’s largest Airbus Maintenance Facility at Chennault, whose major customer is FedEx, faces increased competition from Central America and Asia for aircraft repair and maintenance, Jindal said.
"In total, we're talking about the retention of over 500 good paying jobs and the creation of 130 new jobs. We all know that Chennault is such a critical asset for Southwest Louisiana and really the entire state," Jindal said.
For Northrop Grumman, the award allows them to "expand their assembly and repair services capability with the addition of the new building”.
“The state’s EDAP awards are part of a larger expansion plan to support Aeroframe’s and Northrop Grumman’s business at Chennault,” said Charles Harvey, the Airport Authority’s deputy director. “Our goal is to help these tenants use Chennault facilities to become more efficient and competitive and drive further investment in jobs and economic impact in our region.”
"Bottom line: great news for Southwest Louisiana and great news for the state," Jindal said.