Jet Maker Plans To Invest $20 Million, Add Jobs In Westfield

WESTFIELD, Mass. (AP) -- Gov. Deval Patrick says aircraft manufacturer Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. plans to build a new maintenance hangar in western Massachusetts, a move that will create 200 construction jobs, 100 new full-time positions and keep the company's 130 workers in Westfield.

Savannah, Ga.-based Gulfstream Aerospace is investing $20 million in the hangar at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport. The facility will accommodate the firm's new luxury business jet, the Gulfstream G650.

The project will receive tax breaks worth $1.4 million for job creation and retention as well as investment commitments. It will also receive a $4.2 million 15-year local tax credits that will finance needed improvements.

It will also receive a $3 million grant from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to improve roads along the airport perimeter and the construction of a new parking apron.

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