Dassault Falcon Announces $20 Million Expansion, 200 New Jobs

Seal of Little Rock
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :
Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007

Media Release

City of Little Rock Public Relations (501) 371-6801

Joe Holmes, Arkansas Economic Development Commission (501) 682-5254 or (501) 944-2874

Governor Mike Beebe announced today that Dassault Falcon will further expand its business jet completion center in Little Rock, already the largest of its kind on the world. The 116,000-square-foot expansion results from growing demand for Dassault Falcon jets worldwide, including the new 7X. Dassault is in the midst of hiring 200 additional Little Rock employees over the next two years to meet the increased production demand. The new jobs will pay an average of $20 an hour.

“Good relationships with existing businesses create good jobs in Arkansas,” Beebe said. “Little Rock’s history of working cooperatively with Dassault Falcon has led to a world-class facility here that continues to grow and provide opportunities for Arkansans.”

The $20-million expansion will include a new paint facility, warehouse expansion, new engineering facilities and additions to Dassault’s flight-test line. After completion of the work, the Little Rock Dassault facility will cover approximately 820,000 square feet.

The Dassault Falcon expansion project was coordinated by the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce's economic development team. Dassault is not only the largest and highest paying manufacturer in Central Arkansas, but the aerospace and aviation industry is the state's largest financial export.

“Since coming to Little Rock, Dassault Falcon has been an outstanding corporate citizen,” said Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola. “On behalf of our citizens, I want to thank Dassault for their continued commitment to, and investment in, the City of Little Rock.”

-30-