Clay Lacy Breaks Ground on $20 Million, 11-Acre FBO and MRO Development at Waterbury-Oxford Airport
Clay Lacy Aviation strengthens its commitment to the Northeast United States and its economic future by celebrating not only the groundbreaking of its $20-million expansion at Waterbury-Oxford Airport (KOXC) in Oxford, CT, but also the establishment of an annual scholarship and internship program with CT Aerotech of Hartford, CT. On hand for the July 19 event were Connecticut aviation leaders; state officials; administrators, instructors and students from CT Aerotech; and Clay Lacy team members.
“We’re breaking ground on what will be one of the finest FBOs (fixed-base operators) and aviation facilities in the country,” says Brian Kirkdoffer, president and CEO of Clay Lacy Aviation. As the company's East Coast headquarters, “It will expand and enhance all of the services that we provide," he continues. "Oxford will be an incredible economic and employment engine, attracting and supporting the finest aircraft and flight operations in the world.”
The first 11-acre phase will feature a passenger terminal, executive offices and a 40,000-square-foot hangar, with a focus on sustainable facilities and operations. Clay Lacy’s commitment to job creation and economic growth for the Oxford community will result in 200 new high-paying jobs with an annual payroll in excess of $32 million and 420 indirect jobs during the construction process. The new full-service FBO and maintenance facility is expected to be completed in the winter of 2023.
“Investments like this serve a very significant role in the overall economic development mission of the Connecticut Airport Authority,” says its executive director, Kevin Dillon, A.A.E. “It elevates the stature and status of the airport and allows us to attract activity all over.”
David Lehman, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development, spoke of the larger importance of Clay Lacy’s KOXC development. “Businesses both in state and out of state want to know what options are out there for private aviation. This delivers that. This is another selling point for the state of Connecticut and the growth that we foresee in the economy.”
Clay Lacy also has worked with CT Aerotech, a Connecticut-based aircraft mechanics school, to develop technicians to enter the aviation industry. CT Aerotech operates a two-year Airframe Mechanics and Aircraft Maintenance Technology program. With a history of hiring Aerotech graduates, Clay Lacy executives — including Buddy Blackburn, SVP of the new Oxford FBO, and Chris Hand, SVP Northeast — announced a new scholarship and internship program for students pursuing FAA certifications as airframe and powerplant technicians, providing $16,000 in annual scholarships and $10,500 in on-the-job internships.
“We’ve established a great pipeline to support Connecticut and its economy,” says John Ryan, principal of CT Aerotech, speaking of the partnership and internships with Clay Lacy. “This scholarship program just further strengthens that resolve to put people here in Connecticut to work and get these jobs.”
All the facilities under construction will be built in accordance with Clay Lacy’s Sustainability Strategy and will be certified carbon-neutral. The facilities include solar panel provisions, electric-vehicle (EV) charging, electric-aircraft charging, efficient building design, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The 16-acre site is able to accommodate additional phases and an additional investment of $20 million, which would add an additional 80,000 square feet of hangar and office space.
Following the groundbreaking, attendees toured the current facilities, including a Bombardier Global 5000 that is part of Clay Lacy’s managed aircraft fleet. Clay Lacy currently has private charter, aircraft management and maintenance services at KOXC.