Cleared for Takeoff- Chicago Rockford International Airport Lands MRO Deal

Rockford’s transformation into a top-tier community requires jobs that pay well and opportunities for young people to stay in town and get good jobs.

The maintenance, repair and overhaul operation at Chicago Rockford International Airport fulfills those needs.

Financing for the MRO project cleared two hurdles this week when the Rockford City Council voted 13-1 to financially support the facility and the Winnebago County Board’s Finance Committee unanimously recommended approval of the county’s contribution.

Those vote totals reflect how important the MRO is to the future of Rockford. The overwhelming support shows Wood Dale-based AAR, which will operate the MRO, and other aviation-related businesses that this region is serious about growing our increasingly significant aviation cluster.

The County Board also approved their $8 million dollar contribution this week.

It’s an expensive project, but it’s a worthy investment.

Rockford is committing $5 million ($7.4 million after interest) for the $41 million jet-repair facility and the county is putting $8 million ($11 million after interest) into the project. The balance will be paid for with $3 million by the Greater Rockford Airport Authority, $15 million in state grants and $10 million in federal grants.

In return, AAR is expected to employ 500 people within two years. Mike Nicholas, president and CEO of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council, said at Monday night’s City Council meeting that in addition to the 500 jobs, AAR’s operation will result in 450 indirect jobs. Total payroll will be around $50 million a year for all of the jobs created.

And that’s just the beginning. More than 200 companies in the area supply products for the aviation industry. We foresee growth at those companies because of developments at the airport.

The MRO has created additional buzz about Rockford’s airport and airport officials surely will use that momentum to recruit more businesses.

AAR is the nation’s largest MRO operator. Rockford will become its seventh MRO. Many of the AAR jobs will be filled by graduates of Rock Valley College, which is building a $5.1 million, 40,000-square-foot building at the airport where RVC will train the next generation of jet mechanics. The training those RVC students get also will qualify many of them for jobs at Woodward, UTC, or any other of the aerospace-related local companies.

The prospect of homegrown talent stepping into jobs that pay well enough to support a family indeed is welcome.

Rockford and Winnebago County are stepping up to make it happen. Loves Park and Machesney Park are considering contributions as well.

This is a project that benefits all our local communities and it would be worthwhile for all of them to contribute to what is one of the best economic developments of the century.

Woodward’s $300 million facility may top the list of big wins, but the MRO is not far behind.

Rockford needs some more wins, but so far the record is promising.