West Star Aviation will open a new facility at the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport. The new maintenance, repair and overhaul facility represents a $22.3 million investment and will create 200 new jobs in Hamilton County, Tennessee.

West Star Aviation specializes in the repair and maintenance of airframes, windows and engines, as well as major modifications, avionics installation and repair, interior refurbishment, surplus avionics sales, accessory services, paint and parts.

The 40,000 plus square foot Chattanooga facility will house mixed-use space, which will be used for administrative and customer offices, engineering avionics, cabinetry and upholstery shop functions, as well as accommodate storage of customer aircraft parts.

“The aviation-friendly location and existing facilities will allow West Star to better serve East Coast corporate aviation flight departments,” Rodger Renaud, West Star COO, said. “This expansion represents the initial steps in a larger five-year plan that calls for continued growth in the Chattanooga area.”

The Chattanooga location sits on a ground-lease footprint that is 525’ x 455’ or 238,875 square feet with ample ramp space for uncongested aircraft movement. An additional 15-acre site adjacent to the facility is slated for expansion as well. Operations will include all disciplines of MRO support such as paint facilities, maintenance hangars, back shop activities and an accessory shop.

“We want to welcome West Star Aviation to Tennessee and thank them for this investment in Chattanooga and Hamilton County,” said Governor Bill Haslam. “West Star’s decision to expand in Tennessee marks another example of how our business-friendly environment continues to foster expansion and growth and today’s announcement supports our goal of becoming the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”

“This is another exciting addition to Hamilton County’s continuing quest for new economic development,” Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said. “Additionally, West Star Aviation will add to the diversity of our existing Hamilton County businesses. We look forward to a long and lasting relationship with Robert Rasberry and his West Star Aviation Team and the good, family wage jobs they will now create in Hamilton County.”

“TVA and EPB of Chattanooga congratulate West Star Aviation on its announcement to open a new facility and create 200 new jobs in Chattanooga, Tennessee,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “We are pleased to partner with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County to facilitate West Star Aviation’s new location decision.”