Jacksonville Welcomes $430M Otto Aviation Plant, Promising 1,200 Jobs!

Cecil Airport, Jacksonville, Florida, USA - Jacksonville is poised for a major aerospace development as Otto Aviation, a Texas-based aviation startup, has set its sights on building a manufacturing facility at Cecil Airport, a project affectionately named „Project Bluebird.“ On June 9, 2023, the Jacksonville City Council greenlit an incentive package aimed at attracting Otto Aviation, which includes up to $20 million in property tax rebates over the next 20 years, a move that could very well transform the local economy.

The Council’s decision is part of a broader plan by Otto Aviation to move its headquarters to Jacksonville, with expectations of creating at least 400 jobs by the end of 2031. The jobs come with an impressive average salary of $90,000, giving the area’s workforce a significant boost. Scott Drennan, Otto Aviation’s President, asserts that their goal is to establish a significant aerospace presence in Jacksonville, promising to invigorate the local job market.

Incentives and Investments

The financial support doesn’t stop with the City Council. As reported by Jacksonville.com, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) is pitching in nearly $35 million in incentives. This package features substantial investments aimed at site preparation for the manufacturing facility, including $22.5 million specifically for extending a taxiway. Furthermore, other incentives such as rent abatement and maintenance fee support for the hangar used temporarily by Otto Aviation total approximately $3.73 million.

Otto Aviation’s investment in Jacksonville could reach an impressive $430 million across two phases, further enhancing the area’s competitiveness in the aerospace sector. Their plans for a next-generation aircraft, the Phantom 3500, will utilize laminar flow technology aimed at improving fuel efficiency—a nod to sustainable innovation that resonates strongly in today’s market.

Community Impact and Future Prospects

Council member Nick Howland expressed optimism that Otto Aviation’s presence could attract other industries to the region, potentially positioning Jacksonville as a hub for aerospace development. As the company prepares for an eventual workforce expansion that could see up to 1,200 jobs by 2040, the community can look forward to a revitalized local economy.

The allure of Jacksonville isn’t just attractive for Otto Aviation; according to News4Jax, the company evaluated over 50 airports across a dozen states before settling on Jacksonville due to its favorable economic development agreements and supportive incentives. The local leadership’s proactive approach to fostering these kinds of investments is certainly paying off.

By signing a lease on June 9 for a hangar vacated by Boeing as a temporary measure, Otto Aviation is setting the stage for construction to begin in 2027. With a new facility expected to be built on 80 to 100 acres of land, phased completion aims for a grand opening by January 1, 2032.

All indicators point to a substantial forward leap in Jacksonville’s aerospace sector with Project Bluebird. The positive economic impact and job creation promise to turn a hopeful prospect into a community achievement—there’s no denying that Jacksonville is ready to take flight.