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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Ascent Aviation Services Opening Rosewell, New Mexico Hub

09/29/2020
Arizona-based Ascent Aviation Services is planning to expand with an operations hub in Roswell, New Mexico. The company plans to hire 360 employees for airplane repair and maintenance services.

According to Economic Development Department Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes, Ascent Aviation Services has signed a letter of intent to commence operations at the Roswell Air Center. The firm is set to hire 130 employees in the first year, for a total of 360 over the next five years. Workers are expected to earn an average salary of $54,000 a year.

Ascent’s leased space will cover 10 acres and the company plans to construct a maintenance hangar large enough for wide-body jets. The state and local investment in the project makes it possible to move forward sooner and with more certainty, state officials said.

"With its clear blue skies and competitive business climate, New Mexico continues to attract top-tier aerospace companies," Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said. "The Roswell Air Center is a unique economic driver that will, with the support of my administration, continue to bring high-quality and high-paying jobs to the area, and I am glad to welcome Ascent Aviation to the state."

The State of New Mexico, through its Local Economic Development Act job creation fund, administered by the Economic Development Department, has pledged up to $4 million to support the project, while Chaves County has committed an additional $3 million in utility and infrastructure improvements. Ascent plans to invest $18 million into the New Mexico location. The project is expected to have a statewide economic impact of $545 million over 10 years.

“The Roswell Airport is an incredible facility with a large volume of aircraft already parked there as a result of COVID-19 and other factors limiting operations. Sometimes those planes have limited options for heavy maintenance and service and have to be ferried out. This facility will provide an option to keep those jobs and revenue in New Mexico,” said David Querio, Ascent Aviation Services President.

"The state and county incentives show that New Mexico has a strong desire to bring in new businesses and create good jobs. There can be a lot of pain associated with this type of expansion and everyone from Cabinet Secretary Keyes and Economic Division Director Mark Roper on down, including additional personnel from the State of New Mexico, Chaves County, and the City of Roswell, have all shown a desire to help. That has made this expansion possible,” Querio said.“Wherever possible we are looking to provide training and assistance so we can grow our own mechanics. We know the importance of bringing something of this magnitude to Roswell.”

Ascent is a one-stop shop for aircraft maintenance including storage, maintenance, reclamation, and fueling. It services narrow, wide-body, and regional aircraft, and has authorizations on Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, and Airbus aircraft. It also services airlines, cargo operators, leasing companies, and VIPs.

"We are excited to welcome Ascent Aviation’s expansion of their operations to Roswell-Chaves County. The many jobs they will create in the growing aviation MRO industry here underscores our vision of future growth for aviation industries at the Roswell Air Center," Mike Espiritu, President of the Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corp., said. "We appreciate the high-tech job opportunities, capital investment, and partnerships with Ascent and our community and pledge our full support to their success."

Ascent Aviation Services is based at Pinal Air Park in Marana, Arizona, and is sister companies with Ascent Aviation Services, LLC located at Tucson International Airport. Ascent has two facilities in Arizona with approximately 500 employees. Its locations at the Pinal Air Park and Tucson International Airport span 1,230 acres and five hangars.

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