NetJets Aviation on Wednesday announced plans to keep its headquarters in central Ohio and add morethan 800 jobs during the next several years.
The announcement came after the private jet company explored the possibility of moving itsbase of operations to another city, 10TV's John Fortney reported.
It was reported that NetJets considered expanding in Orlando, Fla. and Releigh, N.C. andFort Worth, Texas.
NetJets' CEO Richard Santulli said his company would invest about $220 million into upgradingits facility at Port Columbus International Airport. In addition, Santulli announced plans tocreate space for FlightSafety International -- the NetJets' sister company thatspecializes in pilot training.
"Our friend Bruce Whitman, the CEO of FlightSafety International, has also committed right tobuild the largest flight safety facility in the world," Santulli said.
Santulli promised 810 new jobs once the facilities were completed, Fortney reported.
In exchange, the City of Columbus and the State of Ohio put together a tax incentive packagetotaling about $67 million, Fortney reported.
Santulli said that each penny of the incentive would find its way back into thecommunity.
"I'll say all of the money we receive from the state and the city; we will put back into thelocal community and the State of Ohio," Santulli said.
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman also attended the news conferenceand were upbeat about the announcement.
"The future of aviation and the future of Ohio are inseparable," Strickland said.
"It’s the most significant economic development event in my time in politics in the City ofColumbus for the past 15 years," Coleman said.
NetJets is considered the first company to offer businesses and individuals the opportunity topurchase portions of business jets.
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