Sierra Nevada Corporation

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), a trusted leader in innovative, advanced technology solutions and open architecture integrations in aerospace and national security, is well known for its unique mission applications. SNC creates customized solutions for the world’s most pressing technology challenges in the fields of aviation, national security, electronic warfare, command and control, mission systems, and inline cybersecurity.

In order to meet the growing needs of its customers, SNC began a nationwide search for a location to continue expansion in the large aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) field. After considering sites in Colorado, Kansas, and Ohio, SNC selected 16 acres at the Dayton International Airport to build two aircraft MRO facilities capable of supporting some of the largest aviation projects in the world.

Citing the collaborative work by JobsOhio, the Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jon Husted, SNC found that Ohio had everything needed to expand its MRO efforts. “Dayton’s extensive supply chain, highly skilled workforce, and proven standing as a logistics hub make the Dayton International Airport our first choice to further strengthen the expertise and robust production infrastructure that have made SNC the go-to leader in large aircraft heavy maintenance, modification, and integration markets,” explains Mark Williams, SNC senior vice president strategy.

SNC also remarked on the aviation legacy in Dayton as a factor for selecting the city. As the home of the Wright Brothers and the birthplace of aviation, surprisingly this will be the first time since 1947 that a private company performs maintenance, repair, and modification work on military planes in Dayton.

Dayton also offers SNC close proximity to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), the Life Cycle Management Center, and the Air Force Research Laboratory. As a Tier 1 supplier to the United States Air Force, SNC wished to locate these facilities in a military community. SNC found the generational pride Dayton’s military families possess to be a perfect fit for its expansion.

Another consideration in selecting the ideal site for SNC’s new facilities is climate and weather. Ohio experiences far fewer major weather events than coastal communities, making it a safer site selection for security and operations purposes.

With major draws like a highly skilled workforce, a historically significant location, proximity to WPAFB, safer climate, better work/life balance, and an affordable cost of living, Ohio stands out as the whole package for leading edge aerospace technology companies like SNC.