Chris picks back up on a conversation about the Aerospace industry, speaking with Tony Vernaci, Vice President for Global Business Development, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
- Overall job growth in Michigan is outpacing the national average o 2009-2014 Michigan aerospace jobs grew at 38% while the national average was less than 1%.
- Some of the key assets based in Michigan:
- Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport;
- Former military base with 11,000 foot runway capable of landing any commercial aircraft;
- Over 900 employees performing complex engine repair and overhaul, airframe and composites;
- Kalitta Air full maintenance crew for their entire global fleet of Boeing 747s;
- Alco in Whitehall, Michigan;
- Spirit Airlines Maintenance Facility at Detroit Metro Airport;
- $31.7 million investment, 84 high paying new jobs
- Michigan won this project over competing states in the south.
