LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) – The Lufkin City Council on Tuesday approved new developments for the Lufkin Economic Development Corporation’s airport hangar.
Current plans include a leasing agreement with HCH Aviation in Nacogdoches.
“I just think it’s great to see the benefit of something that we voted on and had no idea what it would do. We were just happy to put a big sign on it and allow the companies that came to Lufkin to park their planes in the hangar and this is what it turned into,” said Lufkin Mayor Mark Hicks.
HCH Aviation, a professional flight school, will relocate its manufacturing and service operations to Angelina County. The company’s expansion will also create 25 to 30 jobs. The company’s move is expected to be completed within a year.
“There is a gap in the state of Texas in the search for aircraft mechanics and we are moving quickly to fill that gap,” said Bob Samford, director of the LEDC.
The aviation company will also partner with Angelina College to create a new aircraft repair curriculum for students.
“Young people can do their schooling at Angelina College and then do an internship there. It’s really exciting,” Samford said.
Construction of the hangar was approved earlier this year with a budget of $750,000. The project is a partnership between the City of Lufkin and Angelina County. The original plan was to build a hangar where company executives could park their planes while visiting the city.
The Lufkin City Council also approved:
A $25,000 land deposit from Clean Development Partners, LLC for an area in the City of Lufkin’s Industrial Park. The company has entered into an economic development agreement with the Economic Development Corporation of Lufkin and the land will be used for the company’s operations.
The appointment of Bruce Green as the new Municipal Court Judge. Green replaces Judge Chad Vier, who will vacate his position on September 3.
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