 Paul Sims/SDN This is the Hunter MQ-5B unmanned aerial system, which Stark Aerospace produces for the U.S. Army. On display during Stark’s Monday grand opening event for its facility near Golden Triangle Regional Airport, the Hunter MQ-5Bs have been in use in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper, R-Third District, speaks to the audience gathered at Stark Aerospace in Lowndes County during a grand opening on the company’s 86,000-square-foot facility adjacent to Golden Triangle Regional Airport Monday. 
By PAUL SIMS
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
LOWNDES COUNTY — A company which specializes in unmanned aerial systems and electro-optics officially opened its new facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport Monday.
Stark Aerospace, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries, held a grand opening at its new 86,000-square-foot complex Monday.
U.S. Reps. Travis Childers, D-First District, and Gregg Harper, R-First District, were among those who spoke.
“”This is an operation that literally saves lives of American soldiers on a daily basis,” Harper said after the ceremony.
The Unmanned Aerial Systems division produces the Hunter MQ-5B for the United States Army, seeing use in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to a statement on the event. The company’s Electro-Optics assembles the TAMAM POP (plug-in optronic payload) 300 series payloads and repairs units used on the AAI Shadow UAS in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“We established Stark Aerospace to advance IAI technologies, products and systems to enhance the security of the United States, said Yair Shamir, chairman of the board of IAI in the event statement.
“Our goal for Stark Aerospace is to become a leading regional aerospace and defense company benefiting its customers, community, owners and employees.”
Stark Aerospace started out in 2006 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Lab.
David Eudy, Stark Aerospace’s CEO, said the company moved from its operation at Raspet in August.
“We’re very proud of the role that Mississippi State University
has played in the infancy of Stark Aerospace,” Harper said.
The new space gives the company the growth opportunities “that are in front of us,” Eudy said.
Childers said: “The success will attract even more.”
U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran sent messages to the event.
“Stark Aerospace is meeting ... rapid demands in the American market,” Wicker said in a letter read by retired U.S. Air Force Gen. and former MSU President Robert H. “Doc” Foglesong. Foglesong is a member of Stark Aerospace’s board and served as master of ceremonies for the event.
Cochran said: “Mississippians take a great deal of pride in our support of the armed forces, and I am pleased this facility will gives us new opportunities to support their missions.”
During the event, company officials presented a $10,000 donation to East Mississippi Community College Dr. Rick Young, the college’s president, and Dr. Raj Shaunak, EMCC’s vice president of Workforce and Community Services, to help displaced workers.
The company currently has 94 total employees and expects to reach 100 before year end, Stark Aerospace CEO David Eudy said after the event.
The building is already undergoing a 20,000-square-foot expansion to make room to move an operation in Columbus to the new facility, Eudy said.
Company officials said in the statement that they expect completion on the expansion project in January 2010.
“This is the absolute great example in economic development,” said Gray Swoope, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority.
It’s the model which should be used more, he said, including the mind power from MSU through Raspet, the Congressional delegation working with local and state economic development and the state helping with public infrastructure.
Oktibbeha County and Lowndes County are working together, said Greater Starkville Development Partnership President and CEO Jon Maynard.
The operation started in Oktibbeha County and has grown to its expanded facility by the airport in Lowndes County.
“It demonstrates the synergy we have within the Golden Triangle,” he said.
|
