United Technologies Corp. Aerospace Systems on Monday said it will expand in Pueblo, adding 46 jobs at its Landing Systems Unit.
The project will include an $82 million capital investment to expand the plant where braking system components for commercial and military jets are made. The new full-time positions will be filled by September 2020.
“They expect to break ground this summer, so construction and induced jobs will be immediate,” said Paris Carmichael, marketing and prospect coordinator for Pueblo Economic Development Corp.
Carmichael said the Landing Systems positions are considered engineering manufacturing jobs, which require more skills than a straight production-line worker.
“But we have training for this workforce available in Pueblo,” she said.
Evraz North America last week on its seamless pipe line in Pueblo.
That the jobs at UTC Aerospace, which the company said will pay an average of $46,970, will be filled as late as 2020 “gives workers time, if the mill doesn’t rehire those workers, to retrain at Pueblo Community College,” Carmichael said.
UTC Aerospace has been offered $1.38 million in incentives, to be paid from the city’s fund for economic development. The offer still must be approved by the Pueblo City Council.
The company has been in Pueblo since 1987, when it was known as BF Goodrich and brought 90 jobs to the city. In the 28 years since then, the workforce has nearly doubled and UTC Aerospace has become a major economic driver in southern Colorado.
“Through a strong local investment in the company and the use of the state’s Strategic Fund and Colorado First job training programs, we are making a compelling statement that Colorado is dedicated to supporting the expansion of our existing employers,” Gov. John Hickenlooper said in a statement. “We are thrilled that UTAS will continue its efforts in Pueblo, and we know they will have continued success.”
