A new hangar will mean more production
AMARILLO -- Local economic experts say that losing one big employer could send Amarillo into a major recession.
But, Wednesday, news of adding jobs not losing them.
The Amarillo Economic Development Corporation agreed Wednesday to help Bell Helicopter build a new flight hangar.
The hangar will allow the company to build more aircraft and hire more employees.
"We have over 50 openings, we've hired 22 people since December. We forecast a growth in headcount of 140 people in the year 2009," said Roger Williams.
"We're going to grow by another 140 at least this year," said Williams. "And we will continue that rate of growth each of the following years until about 2013."
The new hangar will allow Bell to increase aircraft deliveries from 28 to 48 a year.
Construction on the $31 million hangar will be complete by October of 2010.
But before all that can happen, the Amarillo City Commission must first OK this plan. It's expected to do that in a meeting next Tuesday.
