SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – On Monday, officials at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport announced that a leasing agreement has been signed with Pilatus Aircraft.

The Switzerland-based manufacturer will build a 17-acre site on the north side of the airport with a state-of-the-art sales and service facility.

According to SRQ officials, this is Pilatus Aircraft’s first and only facility in the United States.

“This is not something we came up with overnight. We have been working toward this year after year, from the time we started with the infrastructure to bringing in schools and ancillary businesses,” said Rick Piccolo, CEO of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

Piccolo continued, saying they want to continue to grow the aviation ecosystem. He said a big part of that has to do with education and working with Manatee County schools.

Ben Spencer, chairman of the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority, said a school for grades 6 through 12 has already been built on the site and groundbreaking for Manatee Technical College is planned soon.

Thomas Bosshard from Pilatus Aircraft said the educational aspect was very important to them.

“We have had an apprenticeship training program in Switzerland for over 70 years and now have over 140 apprentices. These are high school students,” said Bosshard.

Pilatus Aircraft manufactures the popular PC-12 single-engine turboprop aircraft and the PC-24 Super Versatile Jet, also known as a business jet. According to Bosshard, more than 60% of their suppliers are based in the United States.

According to Bosshard, the move to the USA would reduce transport costs back and forth overseas.

Officials also said the development will create about 350 jobs with starting salaries of about $80,000. Spencer said it will be an economic driver for Sarasota and Manatee counties.

“Someone once said that a dream doesn’t magically become reality. It takes sweat, determination and hard work. This celebration took a lot of tireless effort,” Spencer said.

The plant will be completed in two phases. The first phase is expected to be completed in two years. The second phase is expected to be completed in mid-2026.

The facility will cover an area of ​​5,000 square meters for maintenance work, the distribution of spare parts and the delivery of new aircraft. In addition, a further 1,500 square meters will be created for workshops, offices and administrative rooms.

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