SARA tenants still plan local jobs

Published 12:24 am Thursday, March 14, 2019

Both Dyncorp International and Yulista are moving forward with plans to operate aircraft maintenance facilities at the South Alabama Regional Airport, and economic development officials are in negotiation with a third business considering relocating here.

SARA Executive Director Jed Blackwell Dyncorp International has six employees in Andalusia, all of whom formerly worked for Vector Aerospace.

Dyncorp was awarded a $152 million military contract last fall, and plans to do some of the work in Andalusia. The work was expected to begin on or around April 1, but has been pushed back to May, Blackwell said.

The company has leased the helicopter repair facility at the airport formerly used by Standard Aero/Vector.

Meanwhile, Blackwell said, Yulista, which has an 18-month lease of the airport’s twin hangars for C-130 work, has moved equipment here, and installed a security system.

Both companies are accepting resumes, but are not yet hiring, he said.

Meanwhile, Blackwell and Covington County Economic Development Commission CEO Rick Clifton said they have been in conversation with a company interested in relocating an avionics shop here from a western state.