Excitement At Commercial Jet in Dothan Alabama

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
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334-790-1729
Date: Jul 08 2013 12:12 PM

DOTHAN ( DALE COUNTY ) AL:    This morning Alabama Governor Robert Bentley joined area officials and Commercial Jet staff, to include the President of Commercial Jet Service David Sandri and John Schildroth, Vice President and General Manager of the Dothan facility, for exciting news.

Governor Bentley visited and joined the excitement of the first plane being delivered from the Dothan facility. Commercial Jet President David Sandri said the construction of the plane was done in the Miami plant, but the paint job was done at the Dothan plant. This makes the first plane to be completed in the Dothan facility and ready for delivery.

It was on April 5, 2013 that Commercial Jet Service President David Sandri made the announcement of the opening of a new 400,000 square-foot facility at the Dothan Regional Airport. While the airport is located in the city limits of Dothan, it sits in Dale County. With the opening of the Dothan facility, it more than tripled the capacity to provide freighter conversion and MRO ( maintenance, repair and overhaul ) services.

To make this happen, a team led by Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz and Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce President Matt Parker, worked with state officials and area local elected officials. Alabama Governor Robert Bentley said this morning this is a reality because of the work of the local officials and local state officials ( State Senators and State Representatives ) , combined with the State of Alabama. The Dothan Regional Airport has  initiated a $ 12million dollar construction renovation to be completed in stages in order to bring Commercial Jet to Dothan.

Commercial Jet President Sandri said they currently employ 100 people at the Dothan plant. More hires are expected. Sandri said the people of Dothan have welcomed them with open arms. Sandri said that includes when dealing with people from all walks of life, motels, restaurants and vendors and the workforce as well.

Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz said the people of Dothan are excited. Schmitz said people who have grown up in the Dothan area and worked on aircraft have expressed thanks for Commercial Jet and providing jobs. A lot of the workforce was forced to leave Dothan to seek aircraft employment elsewhere when PEMCO closed their doors.

After the talk in the conference room the Governor and local officials walked the plant. All were able to look at the completed aircraft, the aircraft under construction, and the plant facilities and work that is on going.

A good visit and tour of Commercial Jet. Most  importantly, a good view of people having good jobs in the Dothan area.

Please make note, this event happened because AREA locals officials joined hands and made it happen. These jobs are regional jobs, and to make things happen, it takes a team and regional approach. It was not just one city or county, but a team of cities and counties. Dale County, with a new full time Commission Chairman, Mark Blakenship, and members of the Dale County Commission like Chick Gary and entire commission joined hands with Dothan to make this happen.

This project was a reality because of the work of State Representatives Paul Lee, Donnie Chesteen, Steve Clouse, Dexter Grimsley and State Senators Harri Anne Smith and Jimmy Holley.

But most importantly, because Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz and Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce President Matt Parker never stopped working on it. They were the ingredient that never gave up until jobs were announced. And then they both took off on the next project to get more jobs.

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