NEWS RELEASE                

12/20/2018

Regional Efforts Bring Weatherly Aircraft Company to Newton, Kansas

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Newton, Kan. – Through regional efforts, Harvey County Economic Development and the Greater Wichita Partnership worked with the Kansas Department of Commerce to assist Weatherly Aircraft Company in locating their headquarters and assembly operations to a 26,000 sq. ft. facility at the Newton City-County airport.

Weatherly Aircraft Company is an American agricultural aircraft manufacturer of planes designed for small grain farming. The company plans to add about 109 jobs in the next five years and invest over $1 million in capital investment.

Gary Beck, General Manager for Weatherly said, “As a first move to make Weatherly Aircraft Company’s new home in Kansas, we have selected hangar space at the Newton City-County Airport as an assembly facility for our model 620-B plane.  We appreciate the support we have been provided and will begin production within the first quarter of 2019.”

The City of Newton Commission and the Harvey County Commission voted to approve a five-year lease at a special joint meeting on Dec. 20^th. Weatherly Aircraft will take possession in February, 2019 and be operational beginning March, 2019.

“Weatherly Aircraft will be a great addition to a growing list of dynamic manufacturers in Newton and Harvey County who are doing business all over the world,” said Bob Myers, Newton City Manager.

Harvey County Economic Development Executive Director, Beth Shelton said, “We are delighted to welcome Weatherly Aircraft to the Newton City-County Airport. This project is a wonderful example of collaboration between our city, county, region, and state working together to facilitate growth and create valuable jobs in Harvey County.”

 “This is another terrific development for the city of Newton, for our aviation industry, and for Kansas as a whole,” said Robert North, Interim Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce. “Weatherly Aircraft Company’s decision to move their manufacturing operations to Kansas is the right move for them. The amount of new employment opportunities coming to Newton is really extraordinary.”

“We were honored to support Weatherly Aircraft Company’s search for new facilities outside of California by demonstrating opportunities available throughout our region,” said Andrew Nave, Executive Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Wichita Partnership. “The Newton City-County airport provided an ideal site for this exciting aviation business and the City of Newton, Harvey County Economic Development and the Kansas Department of Commerce worked very collaboratively to make the business case to win this company to our region.”

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For additional information, please contact:

Beth Shelton, Harvey County Economic Development (316) 283-6033

Bob Myers, City of Newton (316) 284-6001

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About Harvey County Economic Development

Harvey County Economic Development is dedicated to the growth and advancement of Harvey County’s economy. We strive to maintain our economic health by supporting the business and industry we have while continuing the recruitment of new industry. We have a firm belief that the vitality of our economy is directly connected to the wellbeing of each resident. For more information, visit www.harveycoedc.org.

About the Greater Wichita Partnership

The Greater Wichita Partnership works to align and focus organizations, industries, businesses, and leaders to cultivate the environment for businesses to succeed and grow in order to fast forward economic growth in the greater Wichita region. For more information, visit www.greaterwichitapartnership.org.