Acquisition Integration project at Pryor Field to create 250 jobs

TANNER – A Huntsville company will invest $30 million and create 250 jobs for a project at Pryor Field, just outside of Decatur.

The Pryor Field Airport Authority approved a 25-year lease with a 10-year option with Acquisition Integration for a maintenance, repair and overhaul operation at the airport. according to a news release.

Acquisition Integration is a distribution, logistics and services company serving the commercial and military aerospace and vehicles industries.

“We all are excited for Acquisition Integration to join us at the airport,” Pryor Field Airport Manager Adam Fox said. “We have worked hard, and strategically, to market and grow the airport, and I’m proud that Pryor Field is in the position to capture these growth opportunities.”

The news release said AI has developed a four-phase plan to build 170,000 square feet of hangar and office space, investing nearly $30 million and creating approximately 250 jobs.

“Acquisition Integration is happy to be involved in the long-term plans at Pryor Field,” Acquisition Integration CEO Dave Bristol said. “We look forward to bringing a capability to Pryor Field that will benefit both the aviation world and the local workforce.

“We believe that it will support the expected growth in North Alabama, and thank the local community for its support in helping us build this capability.”

Goodwyn Mills Cawood, Pryor Field’s airport engineer and planning consultant, recently worked with the authority to develop an airport master plan, which provided a plan to separate corporate/transient and cargo operations from general aviation operations. This plan allowed the airport to allocate nearly 85 acres of airport property for operations such as that being developed by AI.

The Airport Authority is working with the consulting firm on other projects to support AI’s MRO operations, as well as future developments on this property designated for long-term ground lease opportunities.

“Everything we do is a partnership,” Fox said. “It takes committed partners, such as the cities of Decatur and Athens, Limestone and Morgan counties, as well as their economic development teams, the FAA, and the State of Alabama, to bring these opportunities to fruition.”

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) recently awarded grant funding to the Limestone County Commission for sanitary sewer upgrades at Pryor Field Airport to support the expansion of operations.

The funding will be in the form of a $1 million Community Development Block Grant and a $1 million Appalachian Regional Commission grant utilizing Southern Appalachian Automotive and Aviation Workforce funds.

The Limestone County Commission also has plans in the works to pave Airport Road to support the AI project.

“We are pleased to have AI in our community and look forward to working with them,” said Bethany Shockney, Limestone County Economic Development Authority CEO. “Their specialization in aviation is a great addition to our industry base and we are working on adding more companies with similar activities.”

In addition, the Airport is working to secure grant funding for a taxiway project, as well as funding for other projects identified through development of the airport master plan.

“AI is a great addition to Pryor Field and has been easy to work with throughout the process,” Airport Authority Chairman Nathan Fowler said. “Our master plan has allowed us to market sections of the airport for long-term ground leases that weren’t previously dedicated for development.

“Pryor Field is growing and positioned for many more economic development opportunities in the future.”

Morgan County economic officials saluted the project and its 250 jobs.

“It is exciting to have Acquisition Integration commit to constructing a new facility that will create 250 high-paying jobs,” said Jeremy Nails, Morgan County Economic Development Authority CEO. “Pryor Field is a first-class airport, and this addition will certainly enhance and complement their long-range improvement plans.”