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Flexjet wins estimated $18.6M payroll tax credit for Richmond Heights expansion, promises 976 jobs
Summary
Economic development director Chelsey Kovar told council that Flexjet secured a 15‑year, $18.6 million job‑creation payroll tax credit and plans a 300,000 sq ft campus expansion in Richmond Heights that the company projects will create 976 full‑time jobs by Dec. 31, 2031.
Chelsey Kovar, economic development director for Richmond Heights, told the City Council on July 30 that Flexjet secured a 15‑year job creation payroll tax credit worth an estimated $18.6 million to support a planned expansion in the city.
"Flexjet just secured a 15-year job creation tax credit worth an estimated $18.6 million from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority for a major expansion of the world headquarters located here in Richmond Heights," Kovar said, describing the incentive and the scope of the proposed campus growth.
Kovar said Flexjet projects the expansion will create 976 new full‑time jobs by Dec. 31, 2031, transfer more than 300 positions from Cleveland Hopkins Airport, and result in an estimated $62.5 million in new annual payroll. The company plans a roughly 300,000‑square‑foot addition including administrative buildings, training centers, hangars and campus upgrades.
Kovar also described Flexjet’s apprenticeship program, the FlexJet Institute of Technical Services, which the transcript says offers "Earn While You Learn" FAA‑accepted apprenticeships that transition candidates with no experience into licensed airframe and powerplant technicians in about two years. According to Kovar, apprentices earn roughly $40,000–$50,000 annually during training and are offered full‑time placement on graduation with a base starting salary around $80,000; apprentices also receive a toolkit valued up to $50,000.
An attendee identified in the record as Hunt asked whether Flexjet was still inquiring about a hotel in Richmond Heights; the transcript records the question but does not show a response in the meeting record.
City Council did not take a formal vote on the Flexjet announcement itself at this meeting; Kovar framed the remarks as an economic development update and staff briefing on the company’s plans and the state tax credit approval.
