Officials: Aircraft firm interested in Clovis

Clovis officials said an airplane manufacturing company has expressed some interest in operating in the region.

Though he would not name the company, Clovis Industrial Development Corporation Executive Director Chase Gentry said Thursday he has met with an airplane manufacturing company on “numerous occasions,” beginning four or five months ago.

City Manager Joe Thomas also said he has been involved in meetings where the possibility of an aircraft company using the Clovis Airport was discussed.

Thomas said there have been no formal discussions about acquisitions of Clovis property with the aircraft company.

The city has set aside land for aero-related industrial development at the airport, Airport Director Stephen Summers said. The airport also recently was granted an upgrade to its Federal Aviation Administration classification, which will enable the airport to host more corporate aircraft, according to Summers.

According to Thomas, the FAA certification was not precipitated by negotiations with the aircraft company.

“One is not dependent upon the other. Had we not talked to this company, we still would have adopted the regulations. We want the airport to be progressive, to be able to expand,” Thomas said.

Thomas said the company which he is aware expressed interest in operating to Clovis is looking to test a new airplane at the airport. He said he is not aware of the number of people the company could potentially employ.