The old Littleton Apparel building on Main Street will see new life after Governor Perdue announced today LSA America Inc. will locate there.
The company plans to create 34 jobs and invest $400,000 during the next three years.
The project was made possible in part by a $136,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
Halifax County Economic Development Director Cathy Scott said the county has been working on the project since July.
The old airport is what attracted the Sanford based company to Halifax County, however FAA regulations forbid aviation activities at abandoned airports.
“It’s a small project,” Scott said, “But not one that wasn’t without a lot of work.”
The building has been vacant for some time and had intended to be home to a window dressing company.
“As we work every day to put more North Carolinians back to work, we have focused on creating 21st century jobs, and that includes creating an aerospace cluster in our state with companies such as LSA America,” Perdue said in a press release. “Our efforts to expand this fast-growing industry will continue to create jobs in Halifax County and around the state.”
LSA America is the manufacturer of the Allegro Light Sport Aircraft. The light sport aircraft’s performance, quality, low maintenance costs and low operating costs continue to bring new sales and increase market share despite the recession.
LSA will target aviation flight schools and General Aviation pilots for sales in the U.S. and around the world.
The company will lease the Littleton building while a new production hangar is constructed at the Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport.
Salaries will vary by job function, but the average annual wage for the new jobs will be $28,118 plus benefits. The Halifax County average annual wage is $27,404.
“LSA America is very pleased to establish production of its Allegro Light Sport Aircraft in North Carolina with its rich aviation history. Halifax County offers growth potential and a very capable employee base,” said Doug Hempstead, President of LSA America. “The incentives and dedicated people we worked with made North Carolina and Halifax County an easy choice. We look forward to growing our production in the coming days.”
The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.
“Like so many companies that have taken a look at North Carolina, LSA discovered exactly what they needed to get this project off the ground: a skilled, educated workforce and a business climate that is second to none,” said Rep. Angela Bryant, of Rocky Mount.
“Having quality jobs are our number one priority. Our investment in education and infrastructure has built a topflight workforce in Halifax County,” said Senator Ed Jones, of Enfield. “Without the Golden Leaf Foundation, One North Carolina Fund and other economic development partners, we could not have been instrumental in attracting companies like LSA America, Inc.”
