The plane was parked on the pavement behind Legend Aviation. A few people walked around it, noting the perfect fit and finish, the fancy landing gear, the Rolls Royce insignia up by the nose of the aircraft. This was one impressive airplane. 

It was only the second model of the EXTRA 500 aircraft ever built. And it's the plane that would be manufactured here in Prescott if all the details can be negotiated.

Early Tuesday morning, EXTRA Aircraft's Corporate Development Manager Errol Bader flew from Prescott to Phoenix to meet with Sandra Watson, COO of the Arizona Commerce Authority and Rob Morton, VP of Business Attraction. Prescott City Mayor Marlin Kuykendall flew down with him to the meeting.

Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site

Bader explained to Prescott eNews that with the Euro's strength agains the dollar, it is very expensive to continue operating out of Europe. That's why EXTRA is seeking to locate their company in the United States.

According to Kuykendall, the presentation from the state went very well. The Commerce Authority's goal is to improve economic development by bringing more jobs to Arizona. If EXTRA comes to Prescott, they would bring about 100 jobs to the local community, to start, and more than double that at full build-out.

"This meeting was a perfect example of cooperation between the state and a local community concerning economic development," Kuykendall said.

It is expected that EXTRA Aircraft will make a decision shortly. If the company does decide to relocate to this community, the City of Prescott will work with EXTRA to find an optimal location for their manufacturing plant. According to Bader, if all goes well, they would like to start operating their facility by the end of the year.

"It's a beautiful plane," Mayor Kuykendall said with a broad smile after his plane ride.

Photo Gallery

Click on a thumbnail to see a larger photo.