Airtomic planning $3 million expansion in Franklin
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Franklin-based Airtomic is planning to nearly double its footprint in Johnson County with a $3 million expansion that could create more than two dozen jobs.
The Franklin City Council has approved tax abatements for the company, which repairs aircraft engine components for a variety of aviation customers.
Airtomic currently operates a 30,000-square-foot facility at 75 Linville Way. The expansion would add another 20,000 square feet. General Manager Mike Callaway told the council the company has simply run out of space.
“The new extension will allow us to continue to add more people,” Callaway said. “We’re literally out of space for parking and even though my boss thinks we can just park anywhere in Tucson, it’s not the case in Indiana. It’d be nice to have parking spots, so [we are] building up the facility to support more work and more employees.”
Airtomic is an affiliate of Arizona-based Sargent Aerospace & Defense and currently employs about 65 people in Franklin. The company said the expansion will result in 27 new jobs with an average wage of $30-$35 per hour, higher than the county’s current average wage.
The council unanimously approved a seven-year real property and five-year personal property tax abatement for the project based on the company’s investment plan.
“If you guys remember, the whole group took a tour of the facility…and it was very impressive to see what they do and figure out that all these people from around the world are coming in and bringing parts to Franklin,” Councilor Shawn Taylor said.
According to the tax abatement application, work on the expansion began March 10 and is expected to be complete by the end of August.
The council also approved a new Economic Revitalization Area for the property. The previous ERA expired in 2012, according to city documents.