KANSAS CITY, Mo.— Everett, Wash.-based Aviation Technical Services (ATS) announced the company plans to open a new 607,000-sq.-ft. facility at the KCI Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Base at Kansas City International Airport, creating more than 500 new jobs over the next three to five years with potential for 1,000 employees over time. The company will invest upwards of $7 million.
“This is yet another step to secure ATS’ future and ensures long-term stability for our customers, employees and company. Expanding to Kansas City in the KCI Overhaul Base allows us to meet existing customer requirements and adds to our platform from which to grow and diversify our service offerings over time. We plan to continue to grow in new locations that support this model,” said President and CEO, Matt Yerbic.
With two existing locations in the state of Washington, expanding to Kansas City, Platte County will put ATS in closer proximity to some of its largest customers, allowing the company to improve customer service and expand its client base. Additionally, Kansas City will provide ATS with new competitive advantages and opportunities for future expansion. Kansas City will be the company’s first location outside of the state of Washington. ATS evaluated locations across the U.S. for this facility.
“Once again, Missouri continues to be a global leader in the aerospace and aviation industry,” Gov. Jay Nixon said. “Following Boeing’s decision to bring up to 800 research and IT jobs to the Show-Me State, Aviation Technical Services’ announcement today is further evidence that Missouri’s highly-skilled workforce and pro-business climate make it an outstanding place for companies large and small to prosper. This significant job-creating investment makes it easy to see why Missouri’s unemployment rate has been below the national average for 51 straight months.”
The Platte County Economic Development Council partnered with a number of regional organizations to attract ATS, to Platte County including the State of Missouri; The Missouri Partnership; Missouri Department of Economic Development; City of Kansas City, Missouri; Kansas City, Missouri Aviation Department; Kansas City Area Development Council, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri; Missouri Division of Workforce Development; KCP&L; Metropolitan Community College; University of Central Missouri; and Kansas City’s Partnership for Regional Education Preparation (PREP-KC).
The KCI Overhaul Base encompasses more than two million sq. ft. of covered space, currently occupied by Jet Midwest, Frontier Airlines, ExpressJet, Republic Airlines and Smith Electric Vehicles.
“Platte County has an outstanding aviation history,” said Platte County Commissioner, Jason Brown. “ATS locating here is a great example of Platte County’s strength in workforce and I welcome ATS to our community. It makes me proud to see Platte County continue to remain a strong aviation force within the region.”
“Platte County EDC is proud to announce ATS will be moving into the Overhaul Base at KCI. Our Platte County workforce ranks among the highest in the region and was one of the critical factors ATS looked at when deciding on its location here in Platte County. Not only being able to show our history in aviation, but the quality of secondary and higher education available here in Platte County, gave us the competitive edge needed,” said Alicia Stephens, Executive Director, Platte County Economic Development Council.
Metropolitan Community College has worked to support ATS from the beginning of their site selection helping them understand the education, training and consulting services the college is able to provide.