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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Draken International Invests $6.7 million To Develop Operations Center at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport In Florida

04/10/2013
Draken International will invest $6.7 million to develop operations and create 55 jobs in the Lakeland, Florida area over the next three years. The company will expand its corporate headquarters and maintenance, repair and overhaul operations at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport.

Draken provides aviation service capabilities such as airborne adversary support, threat simulation, aerial refueling, research and testing for all branches of the United States armed forces and Department of Defense. With over 50 jets, the company operates the largest fleet of privately owned tactical aircraft in the world.

Jared Isaacman, CEO of Draken International, states “Draken International is pleased to announce we have signed a ten-year lease with Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, committing our company to the economic growth of Lakeland and the Central Florida area. With over 50 tactical, highly-capable fighter aircraft, Draken International is a leading provider of training services to our nation’s military and defense industry. As we continue to grow, we will endeavor to bring more business and more jobs to Lakeland. I also want to thank the local political & civic leaders for making us feel so welcome in our new home.”

Governor Rick Scott said, “Draken’s decision to expand their headquarters and operations facility in Lakeland is great news for Florida families. Expansions by innovative, industry-leading companies like Draken demonstrate that our efforts to improve Florida’s business climate are working. Nearly 300,000 private-sector jobs have been created in the past two years, and today Florida is one of the best states in the nation to do business, which means more jobs for Florida families.”

Draken International’s partners in this project included the Central Florida Development Council of Polk County, Lakeland Economic Development Council, City of Lakeland, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, the Florida Department of Transportation and Enterprise Florida.

Lakeland Mayor Gow Fields said, “Draken International represents the high skill, high wage jobs that communities target, and Lakeland is very proud that they decided to call Lakeland Linder Regional Airport their home. We feel that Draken will ultimately serve as a catalyst for corresponding businesses, causing a ripple effect that will reach far beyond the boundaries of our municipal airport.”

“What an accomplishment for Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, the City of Lakeland, Polk County and the State of Florida in our collective efforts to lure Draken International to locate their headquarters in Lakeland, FL,” said airport director Gene Conrad. “Lakeland Linder will be home to the largest fleet of privately owned and operated tactical aircraft in the world. We are excited about seeing those aircraft in the skies of Lakeland, but we are equally excited about the jobs that Draken is bringing to our region.”

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