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Spartanburg approves development agreement to bring Axos aviation headquarters to city airport
Summary
Council approved a resolution authorizing a development agreement with Axos LLC to build an aviation headquarters on five acres of city-owned airport land, a project staff said will include a 20,000 sq ft hangar, 1,000 sq ft office and minimum $4 million investment with existing local jobs and prospects for more.
The Spartanburg City Council voted April 27 to authorize the city manager to enter a development agreement with Axos LLC for a corporate aviation headquarters on five acres of city-owned airport property.
Assistant City Manager Kevin Limehouse told council the project would develop roughly 20,000 square feet of hangar space and about 1,000 square feet of office space and represents "a minimum investment of $4,000,000 into the city." He said Axos already supports local employment and the development would expand aviation infrastructure and regional economic activity.
Limehouse said Axos’s current operations have produced 37 local jobs with an average salary of about $71,000 and that the company sees potential to add more positions as it expands. Councilmembers asked about the company’s business lines and future potential; Limehouse described cargo operations, executive transport and charter services and noted potential future work with drones and eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicles.
Councilwoman Rogers thanked staff for a thorough agreement and noted the project’s importance for transportation and business attraction. Council discussed the competitive recruitment process and said Axos chose to locate or expand in Spartanburg in part because of the city’s work to secure the deal.
The resolution passed by voice vote; staff said minor contract modifications may be allowed to finalize the agreement and that the city would continue coordinating with economic partners.
The ordinance/resolution authorizes the city manager to finalize a development agreement; the agreement will return to staff for any ministerial adjustments required before execution.
