(The Center Square) – Nearly three-quarters of $1 million from taxpayers helped lure Ukraine-headquartered Skyeton Inc. to North Carolina for its first flagship manufacturing operation in America.
The One North Carolina Fund provided a $500,000 grant, and the commissioners in Cumberland County and the City Council of Fayetteville put forward performance-based economic development grants each valued at $121,500.
Skyeton, a 20-year-old company, builds and manufactures unmanned aerial systems. Las Vegas is home to its American headquarters. The investment in Fayetteville is more than $3.1 million.
Quito Sáez, CEO of Skyeton, said in part, “Expanding our manufacturing footprint in North Carolina is about more than opening a new facility. It’s about strengthening America’s defense industrial base, creating high-quality American jobs, and delivering combat-proven capabilities closer to the warfighters we exist to serve.
“North Carolina is the perfect place to call home, and we’re incredibly grateful for the warm reception and tremendous support we’ve received from the State of North Carolina, the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corp., our congressional delegation, and our mission partners from the Department of War. Together, we’re building the next generation of American unmanned systems and helping ensure our nation’s and partner nations’ warfighters, defenders, and first responders have the capabilities they need when it matters most.”
One North Carolina Fund assistance requires matching participation from the local government entities. No money is given up front; rather, job creation and capital investment is required to gain a payment.
Training programs for potential workers is being coordinated through the North Carolina Community College System and Fayetteville Technical Community College.
Proximity to Fort Bragg, home to the largest military base population (260,000) in the world, was also a pivotal factor.
