Global TransPark tenant to offer non-stop flights to Europe
By Sam Atkins
Published in News on July 8, 2004 1:56 PM
KINSTON -- A new acquisition at the N.C. Global TransPark will increase the tax base of Lenoir County and bring more traffic to the park.
Segrave Aviation, one of the GTP's tenants, acquired a Challenger 600 jet last week that will offer non-stop flights to Europe or across the continental United States. It will increase the county's tax base by $5 million and will create three jobs initially and five overall.
"This puts us at a different level," said Jim Segrave, company president.
Segrave said the plane will probably start making overseas trips within six months after the company receives the proper certification requirements. The company specializes in private jet charters, aircraft management and maintenance, and aircraft and helicopter sales.
He said people who need to use one of the company's 14 aircraft can call the flight operations department and say where they want to go. Segrave either provides a plane or brokers out a plane that matches the customer's needs.
The Challenger 600 holds 11 passengers, travels at 550 miles per hour and can go 3,250 miles on a tank of gas. It has leather seats and several amenities like a kitchen, TVs and DVD players.
Segrave has been a GTP tenant for over four years and has 58 employees. It was previously based in Greenville but grew out of the building. When deciding where to move, Segrave said, there were many things about the TransPark that were enticing.
The first was the runway, which was extended to 11,500 feet in 2002, making it the longest non-military runway in the state. It also has a control tower manned by the FAA; the GTP is strategically placed when considering what is within 800 to 1,000 miles, and it is easy to get planes in and out of the park, he said.
"The GTP provided everything we were looking for. They've got the infrastructure here. They just need the economy to continue to grow," added Segrave.
Darlene Waddell, GTP executive director, said having the plane will help with the park's effort to become self-sufficient. Not only will it increase traffic, but the park receives revenue from the fuel that is pumped.
She said Segrave is planning to expand its facility this fiscal year by building a 15,000-square-foot hangar. One of Segrave's old hangars will be demolished, and the company has leased that space and will expand in that area.
Ms. Waddell said anytime a tenant does well, it speaks well of the GTP. Having the extended runway, the control tower and plans to upgrade the instrument landing system all help when trying to attract industry.
The GTP is continuing negotiations with an airline company to offer passenger service.
Ms. Waddell said they are always seeking tenants for the park and are planning to sign a contract next week with Haskell Co. to be the general contractor for GTP One, a 120,000-square-foot warehouse.