MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - Thursday Governor Nikki Haley's office announced a Myrtle Beach company is expanding and adding about 150 new jobs.
AvCraft Technical Services, an aviation maintenance company located on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, is planning a $1 million expansion. The growth means AvCraft will begin using some more buildings around its current two airplane hangars.
AvCraft handles maintenance for four similar models of aircraft. The company makes use of the adjacent runway at Myrtle Beach International Airport to get the planes in and out.
AvCraft's president Mike Hill said the company has always planned on expanding; he said now is the right time because the company is getting to the point that he almost does not have enough mechanics to handle to number of planes customers are sending to the company.
He said the major reason the expansion is happening sooner rather than later is because Horry County got a $100,000 grant from the state to help AvCraft with the plan.
"Every penny helps when you're looking at expanding, especially in today's economy... to get our [foothold] and create an investment in our business in order to hire additional employees, which is an investment to the community," Hill said. "It's always been in our business plan to start moving in that direction, but with that little inventive, this help is certainly going to cause us to start much sooner."
The news of new jobs in the area is welcome to people like Jason Spivey. He lost his job just a few weeks ago.
"It's actually pretty hard to find a job right now," Spivey said. "It's not something that's easy to do."
Hill said most of the jobs will be high-paying because they require special training and certification to work on aircraft. Starting in January that training will be available right next door at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, but the jobs at AvCraft are the type that not only help locals, but attract people to the area to find work.
"We've actually used the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in the north and recruited some of their graduates and are here now," Hill said.
Brad Lofton with the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation said having AvCraft expand could set an example for what is possible as the county builds the nearby aerospace business park called the International Technology and Aerospace Park (ITAP).
"We believe strongly that growth begets growth and that positive news around the country will start to sink in to some of these additional aviation companies," Lofton said. "We know we have the best location in the Southeast for aviation. So AvCraft's decision is going to give us momentum and additional credibility as an aviation location."
Spivey said he would be interested in getting the training necessary if it means getting a good job. He said any announcements like the one from AvCraft make him optimistic.
"Even if it's two jobs it's better than nothing at all, and I'd like to see that keep coming," Spivey said.
Lofton said he cannot make any announcements yet, but he is working on even more job growth. He hopes to have more good news in the new year.
From Office of Gov. Nikki Haley
COLUMBIA, SC – AvCraft Technical Services, an aircraft maintenance, repair and modification provider, Thursday announced plans to expand its current operations in Horry County. The $1 million investment is expected to generate 150 new jobs.
"Location was a major factor in choosing to expand operations here. Myrtle Beach gives us a centralized location to most efficiently reach our customer base," said Mike Hill, president of AvCraft. "Horry County officials and the Myrtle Beach Regional EDC made expanding here a very easy process."
AvCraft will expand its facility in Myrtle Beach to help the company increase its aviation MRO services.
"It's another great day in South Carolina, and we are going to celebrate AvCraft's decision to expand and create 150 new jobs in Horry County. Bringing jobs and investment to our state continues to be a top priority of this administration, and we will build on this year's success in 2012," said Gov. Nikki Haley.
Since 2009, Commerce has recruited more than $1.1 billion in capital investment and more than 7,000 jobs in the aerospace and aviation sector.
"AvCraft's announcement shows that our state's aerospace and aviation sector is continuing to create new jobs. Expansions are proof that South Carolina's business-friendly climate offers an environment where companies can grow," said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.
"AvCraft's decision to expand their workforce by 150 employees is a tremendous testimony of our attractiveness as an aviation destination. I am thankful for the company's commitment to Horry County and proud of our economic development team for this terrific announcement," said Tom Rice, chairman of the Horry County Council.
"AvCraft is a tremendous asset to our community, and this project is just the beginning for aviation-related businesses locating and expanding in the Myrtle Beach region," said Doug Wendel, chairman of the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation (MBREDC).
The state's Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved Horry County for a $100,000 grant for this project.
The majority of the 150 new employees will be in technically skilled occupations, and the remaining new hires will be in administrative and support functions. Anyone interested in employment opportunities with this company should visit www.avcraft.com/.
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