Companies to build $32.7M maintenance, repair and overhaul hangar at Pryor Field
Apr. 23—Aleut Real Estate and Strata G Solutions plan to build a $32.7 million maintenance, repair and overhaul hangar at Pryor Field Regional Airport that will be large enough for an Air Force cargo airplane.
"Within the lifecycle of the aircraft, they only fly so many hours before they have to come in for an overhaul or parts and pieces to be replaced. We're looking to get into that space and that activity," said Strata G Executive Vice President Calvin Lane. "We try to stay within the FAA constrains and provide that service to DOD (Department of Defense), commercial industries as well as private entities."
Lane said one of their contractors is Boeing. He said they also service most of the military branches, including Air Force, Navy, Army, Coast Guard and Customs Border Patrol.
The hangar, Lane said, will be large enough to fit a Lockheed C-130 military aircraft. Lengths range from about 97 feet to about 112 feet long. They are over 38 feet tall and have a wingspan of over 132 feet.
"The decision by Strata G Solutions to invest in Limestone County at Pryor Field Regional Airport further reinforces the strategic role our area plays in aviation and defense," said Pryor Field Manager Adam Fox. "We're proud to support companies like this that align with the airport's mission to grow aviation-related industry and create opportunity throughout our region."
Strata G is a subsidiary of Aleut.
"ARE (Aleut) is funding the building and paying for the construction, and then Strata G will occupy that building," said Strata G Senior Project Manager John W. Jones.
Lane said Aleut is based out of Anchorage, Alaska, while Strata G is based in Huntsville.
"We'll basically be managing their property here at Decatur's Pryor Airport," he said.
At Monday's Limestone County Commission meeting, the commission approved an abatement for the companies. They are projecting 50 aviation-related jobs in three years with a capital investment of $32.7 million.
They will receive an abatement of non-educational sales and use taxes during construction. During construction, the companies will save about $664,000 on taxes and the schools will receive $342,000. The property tax abatement will be a savings of about $1.04 million over 10 years, but they will be paying the schools $796,952 over the same period. Under state law, education taxes cannot be abated.
"This project is a win on every level," said Limestone County Economic Development Association President and CEO Bethany Shockney. "Strata G Solutions and Aleut Real Estate bring tremendous value to our local economy and workforce. Their investment underscores Limestone County's continued emergence as a hub for high tech and advanced manufacturing operations."
Last month, the Limestone County Commission announced that they would use state funding of $776,400 to construct a new road from Airport Road to Pryor Field to help with the airport's expansion and also repair a portion of Airport Road.
"This investment reflects continued confidence in Limestone County's ability to attract and support world-class industrial operations," said Limestone County Commission Chairman Collin Daly. "We're excited to partner with Strata G Solutions and Aleut Real Estate as they grow their footprint here and create new, high-quality jobs for our residents."
Fite Building Co. will construct the facility.
"Anywhere from three to four months to moving dirt; that's the goal," Jones said. "We have a pathway of about 18 months from breaking ground, finishing all the drawings and get it up and running."
The hangar's completion is slated for early 2027.
—erica.smith@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2460.
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