Dornier Seaplane Company could announce as early as next week North Bay or St.-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. will be the site of an assembly plant for its all-composite, twin-engined amphibious aircraft.
An unidentified source with the Florida aircraft manufacturer told the Canadian Press that Dornier was preparing for a news conference next week.
But CEO Joe Walker was quoted as saying an announcement will come in the “next few weeks.”
The company said Oct. 19 it would announce its decision within 90 days, sometime in January, which of the two cities would be the final assembly site of its 10-seat luxury Seastar aircraft.
The company plans to create 250 jobs over five years. Dornier said it has more than 20 letters of intent to purchase the aircraft.
The winning criteria comes down to available workforce, cheap land, infrastructure and local suppliers.
North Bay mayor Vic Fedeli said his city wins on all counts.
The City of North Bay is offering up hangar space at its Aeropark at Jack Garland Airport next to Voyageur Airways, a charter and aircraft maintenance company.
Nearby Canadore College would ensure a steady supply of workers through its aircraft maintenance programs.
“If it were up to me, North Bay is the only place they should be,” said Fedeli.
North Bay was a late arrival in the bidding process to land Dornier.
Since August, Fedeli and economic development staff have been building a professional and personal relationship with Dornier chairman Corrado Dornier who has spent “considerable time” in North Bay to touring the available hangar.
“I believe we've won their hearts and their minds. It remains to be seen if we've won their pocket books,” said Fedeli.
Both North Bay and the Montreal area community have considerable experience in the aerospace industry. North Bay is the final assembly point for Bombardier's CL-415 waterbomber.
Dornier has struck an exclusive agreement with India's InterGlobe General Aviation to be responsible for the sales of the Seastar in a territory including India, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
