The tussle to secure Piper Aircraft's PiperJet facility is heating up, with two Florida cities endorsing financial incentive packages to attract the manufacturer.
Late last month, officials in Tallahassee approved a $90 million package, which includes more than 65,000m2 (700,000ft2) of manufacturing and office space. Neighbouring Vero Beach, home to Piper's existing plant, earlier proposed $50 million in incentives.
Piper admits it is conducting site visits of potential locations to build its $2.2 million single-engined PiperJet, but is saying no more. "We're still looking at various locations," it says.
Piper has 180 orders for the all-metal, six-seat Williams International FJ44-3AP-powered aircraft and plans to begin flight testing in the latter half of 2008. First deliveries are scheduled for 2010.
Source: Flight International
