Seeking to expand its service division, Gulfstream evaluates its options
With over 2,800 business jets already in flight and more taking off each year, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation did the math and determined it would eventually have more aircraft in service than it had space to maintain them. The company already had service centers at airports worldwide, including one at Appleton International Airport, so it had plenty of options as it made plans to grow its service and maintenance operations. The Appleton service center was popular with many of Gulfstream’s customers, but was Wisconsin the best choice for an additional maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations facility?
WEDC approaches Gulfstream with a substantive and comprehensive set of incentives
Knowing Gulfstream would be fielding overtures from across the country, WEDC partnered with various state and regional agencies to craft a comprehensive incentive package that would support Gulfstream’s long-term business strategy.
"We have a lot of customers that like to come to Appleton. It was a pretty easy decision to expand here. The state of Wisconsin is wonderful to work with."
The local airport authority worked with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to improve access to the proposed site, and the Wisconsin
Technical College System came to the table with expanded workforce training resources.
Gulfstream was also an ideal candidate for the state’s Business Development Tax Credit (BTC) Program, which provides refundable tax credits to businesses relocating to or expanding in Wisconsin. With a planned $40 million capital investment that was expected to create 171 additional jobs, Gulfstream qualified for $1.1 million in tax credits over three years, dependent on the total number of jobs created and capital invested.
"Wisconsin is a great place for Gulfstream to grow. We value manufacturers and support their growth in a variety of ways, whether it be tax credits, training support or just technical support and building partnerships with others throughout the state."
Gulfstream’s new Appleton service center quickly gains altitude
Gulfstream’s plans for a new 180,000-square-foot maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Wisconsin were announced in February 2018. Its Appleton service center opened in August 2019, and after just a few months the company began to see a positive impact on the business. Nearly 100 new positions have been added, with more planned over the next few years.
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