March 18, 2021 · 0 Comments
The County of Simcoe Council has approved a proposal from Volatus Aerospace to locate a significant portion of its domestic and international assembly operations at the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport.
Volatus is one of the largest tech-enable drone solution and unmanned aerospace technologies providers in Canada.
The initial investment by Volatus is anticipated to generate 17 to 20 high-paying jobs in the aerospace sector. The investment will help transform the airport into an economic an innovation hub.
The company plans to lease a 32,000 sq. ft. hanger at the airport for assembly and integration of drone components and systems integration along with research and development.
“We welcome the team from Volatus Aerospace to Simcoe County and thank them for recognizing the potential of our region and the LSRA towards their ongoing success,” said Warden George Cornell. “It was important that we acted quickly to leverage this exciting opportunity and avoid missing out on new jobs and investment. Utilizing the airport as a key driver for economic growth, we’re taking a proactive approach to positioning our region as a leading hub for innovation and manufacturing. We are also balancing these efforts to attract new investment with continued support of our current businesses who are facing challenges during this pandemic.”
A hanger at the airport will serve the company and nearby businesses fit well into the Volatus plan.
“In looking for the right place to locate this strategic facility, our interest was piqued by a number of potential advantages and synergies that can develop,” said Glen Lynch, President & CEO of Volatus Aerospace. “The available hangar is the right size; the neighbouring, innovation-oriented neighbours provide the potential for excellent cross-platform experience sharing; some of the best education organizations with capability to contribute to our industry are located in close proximity and CFB Borden as the largest training base in the DND will surely prove advantageous in available talent and opportunity for public/private partnering.”
Through the County’s LSRA Aerospace Development Fund, the project will be eligible for up to $100,000.
The LSRA Aerospace Development Fund is a new annual fund to stimulate private sector investment and drive innovation at the LSRA. Eligible investment projects must attract private sector investment, develop the aerospace sector in Simcoe County, create jobs and build talent, lead to broad positive economic impacts, while also encouraging research, innovation and collaboration.
County Council approved this initial grant funding program quickly as they recognized the immediate need to create this modest program so that County staff could bring this opportunity and potentially other fulsome opportunities to the LSRA Board of Directors for their information and consideration.
Volatus Aerospace has headquarters in Quebec and offices in seven Canadian cities as well as offices in Colombia and Albany, New York.
The company is expected to begin renovations of existing hanger space at the LSRA as early as April 2021 and be operational by September 2021.
By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter