DAYTON — Sierra Nevada Corporation opened two new hangars at the Dayton International Airport, marking the completion of a $100 million expansion project.
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The expansion, known as Phase 2, brings the company’s total to four hangars located near its primary client, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Officials stated the growth is part of a broader effort to expand the air defense industry presence in the Dayton area.
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Sierra Nevada Corporation hosted approximately 400 people for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new structures.
The hangars were built specifically to support a major new contract involving 747 aircraft.
Mark Williams, senior vice president for Sierra Nevada Corporation, explained how the new contract drove the need for physical expansion.
“We ended up winning the big contract, which is the 747 you saw out there now,” Williams said. “By winning that, that enabled us to build hangers three and four.”
The company aims to restore a specific type of aerospace work to the birthplace of aviation.
Williams noted the historical significance of the project for the local community.
“We’re very proud as a company to bring aviation modification back to Dayton since the Wright brothers,” Williams said.
Gov. Mike DeWine attended the event and spoke about the rapid growth of the local workforce.
DeWine noted that the number of employees in the sector has doubled in recent years.
“I’m very optimistic. We’ve doubled in the last few years, a number of people who work here but it’s going to continue to grow,” DeWine said. “It’s great help for the Miami Valley for our community.”
Company leadership indicated that while the first two phases are finished, the master plan includes further development.
“We already have plans for Phases 3 and 4. Now, the demand signal needs to be there to match,” Williams said.
Sierra Nevada Corporation is now working to secure $79 million in funding for Phase 3, which will focus on infrastructure.
Williams said the company needs those funds “to be able to build and expand here at the northwest end of the Dayton International Airport.
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