Clay Lacy Aviation has celebrated the groundbreaking of its $20 million expansion at Waterbury-Oxford Airport (KOXC) in Oxford, Connecticut.
And to foster the next generation of aviation professionals, Clay Lacy Aviation established an annual scholarship and internship program with CT Aerotech which operates a two-year Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology program in Hartford, Connecticut.
On hand for the July 19 event were Connecticut aviation leaders; state officials; administrators, instructors, and students from CT Aerotech; and Clay Lacy team members.
“We’re breaking ground on what will be one of the finest FBOs (fixed-base operators) and aviation facilities in the country,” said Brian Kirkdoffer, President and CEO of Clay Lacy Aviation. As its East Coast headquarters,
“It will expand and enhance all of the services that we provide. Oxford will be an incredible economic and employment engine, attracting and supporting the finest aircraft and flight operations in the world.”
The first 11-acre phase will feature a passenger terminal, executive offices and a 40,000-square-foot hangar, with a focus on sustainable facilities and operations.
Clay Lacy’s commitment to job creation and economic growth for the Oxford community will result in 200 new high-paying jobs with an annual payroll in excess of $32 million and 420 indirect jobs during the construction process.
The new full-service FBO and maintenance facility is expected to be completed in the spring of 2024.
“Investments like this serve a very significant role in the overall economic development mission of the Connecticut Airport Authority,” said its Executive Director, Kevin Dillon, A.A.E. The partnership with Clay Lacy will have region-wide benefits.
“It elevates the stature and status of the airport and allows us to attract activity all over.”
David Lehman, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development, spoke of the larger importance of Clay Lacy’s KOXC development: “Businesses both in state and out of state want to know what options are out there for private aviation.
‘This delivers that. This is another selling point for the state of Connecticut and the growth that we foresee in the economy.”
Clay Lacy has worked with CT Aerotech, a Connecticut-based aircraft mechanics school, to develop technicians to enter the aviation industry.
“We’ve established a great pipeline to support Connecticut and its economy,” said John Ryan, Principal, CT Aerotech, of the partnership and internships with Clay Lacy.
“This scholarship program just further strengthens that resolve to put people here in Connecticut to work and get these jobs.”
