Rob Pruitt

Rob Pruitt, executive director of the Chennault International Airport Authority, says the state established the airport in 1986 to stimulate economic and industrial development and create jobs for the people of Southwest Louisiana. "We are the only true multi-modal port on the Gulf Coast," Pruitt says."We have incomparable access to foreign and domestic markets because of our transportation system.That is a huge selling point when trying to attract jobs and companies to our area." Rob PruittThe airport offers Rob Pruitt, executive director, Chennault International Airport Authorityforeign trade zone and enterprise zone designations, and the Chennault International Airpark Authority has 800 acres (324 hectares) of available sites. Major tenants include Northrop Grumman, Louisiana Millwork and Aeroframe, the world's largest Airbus MRO (maintenance, rehab and overhaul facility). "We are not strictly aviation," says Pruitt."We are working with a company right now that's not related to aviation.We provide rent abatement for a year or two depending on the need of the company.All of the property here is available for lease." By being located in a Gulf Opportunity Zone, companies can qualify for very generous incentives if they choose to locate on airport property."Southwest Louisiana offers low-interest financing programs, tax credits and exemptions, work-force training, enterprise zone and foreign trade zone status at the airport, and low energy costs," Pruitt adds.The enterprise zone program provides a $2,500 job tax credit for every new job created, which jumps to a one-time $5,000 credit if the company's NAICS code falls under aerospace or automobile parts."That gives us an edge in marketing the airport," says Pruitt. Pruitt also emphasizes the disaster preparedness of the airport."This airport was open within two days of Hurricane Rita," he notes.

The City Council in Lake Charles heard about Excel-Jet's job-creation commitment Tuesday from Rob Pruitt, executive director of Chennault International Airport Authority, a state-chartered industrial airport with about 18 aviation tenants, including Northrop Grumman Corp.

City officials and officials with Calcasieu Parish will vote on the proposal next week, Pruitt said.

Each entity would contribute $500,000 to pay for a new Excel-Jet headquarters, roads and utilities, he said.The company has also asked the airport authority to build a hangar for its use.

If the financial incentives are approved, Excel-Jet also would have access to $10 million in state bonds and additional money from the Louisiana economic development office, Pruitt said.

Excel-Jet initially would have 30 to 40 employees in Lake Charles, and in five years it would employ about 300, Pruitt said.

He estimates an annual economic impact of nearly $200 million.
...
Pruitt said Lake Charles officials are aware of the company's loan obligation in Oklahoma.

"The loan is being repaid," he said.
...
Pruitt said if approvals for the project to move Excel-Jet to Louisiana are given, the company could be working in a temporary building in Lake Charles within 30 days.

W. Robert Pruitt, 50, was named Executive Director of the Chennault International Airport Authority (CIAA) on June 18, 2007.Pruitt, a Florida native and graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a BS Degree in Aviation Management, has over 25 years of aviation/airport and economic development experience.

He has directed airports in Florida, Texas, and the Dominican Republic and he has served as an airport consultant.He started his professional career with the Missouri Department of Economic Development where he was in charge of small business development and federal grant programs.

Pruitt replaces George Heard who retired on June 30, 2007 after a long and prosperous career at the CIAA.

The board announced on Nov. 28 that the position was vacated after former executive director Rob Pruitt "abandoned" the post.

Rob Pruitt, the airport's executive director, said Excel-Jet would hire about 300 people, with salaries averaging $48,000.

"They love it here and want to get here as soon as possible," Pruitt told the City Council on Tuesday."Canada is the only other location they looked at.They really like Chennault."

He said the company has sent a letter of intent to move their operation to the airport, and asked the city and parish to offer $500,000 each.

The former Air Force base's long runway, sea-level location and "wide-open spaces for testing" attracted Excel-Jet, Pruitt said.
...
"They're going to be very well-funded after the first allotment of money," Pruitt said.
...
Excel-Jet is poised to start work in Lake Charles within 30 days, Pruitt said.

W. Robert Pruitt - Executive Director

Rob Pruitt - Executive Director3650 Sen.J.