FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2007
FCCJ: Michael Corby 904.632.3310
JAA: Michael Stewart 904.741.2721

FCCJ and JAA set to move forward with Aircraft Coating Facility at Cecil Field

Florida Community College at Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Aviation Authority are pleased to announce that their plan to construct a $20 million Aircraft Coating Educational Facility at Cecil Field will now move forward with the signing of the state budget by Governor Charlie Crist.

The Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) provided $10 million in January to Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ) in support of the project. The legislature matched these funds with $10 million through the community colleges’ facilities matching program established to build high-priority instructional facilities.

The Aircraft Coating Educational Facility will be constructed as part of FCCJ’s Aviation Center of Excellence at the Cecil Commerce Center. The two organizations will now begin the process of working out the details for the project. This $20 million initial phase of construction will commence in early in 2008.

The facility will allow the College to conduct advanced technical education and training of students in the latest techniques of aircraft inspection, preparation, treatment and final coating/painting applications. Markets served will include all conventional as well as specialty coatings required in private, commercial and military aircraft as well as advanced maritime protective systems. Graduates of the program will be qualified for high wage/high demand employment for work on military, commercial and general aviation aircraft.

“The addition of this highly advanced educational facility to our existing array of exceedingly successful aviation training programs is of enormous strategic value for the redevelopment of Cecil Field,” said Dr. Steven R. Wallace, FCCJ College President. “We are fortunate to have such strong support from the JAA and are gratified that the legislature and the governor perceived the benefit of assisting the College in making this asset available to our students and business community. This kind of workforce training will strengthen the Cecil Commerce Center’s capacity to serve aircraft manufacturing, an industry we hope to attract in a big way.”

The aircraft coating facility fits the JAA’s long-range plans of developing Cecil Field. JAA owns and operates Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), Craig Airport and Herlong Airport, as well as Cecil Field.

“The development of this aircraft coating facility will complement our existing tenants such as Flightstar and will strengthen our plans for making Cecil Field a leading center for aircraft maintenance and repair,” said Ernestine Moody-Robinson, JAA’s Chief Administrative Officer. “We look forward to working with FCCJ to make this a premier aviation business and educational facility.”

Now that funding is secured, the College and the JAA will begin working together to determine the specifics on the facility design and plan of operation.