Selma-Dallas County officials gathered in a hangar at Craig Field on Thursday to announce the location of an innovative aviation control tower company at the former Air Force base, bringing up to 119 jobs and an investment of nearly $5 million.
Advanced ATC Inc. out of Valdosta, Georgia, chose Selma to establish the nation’s first Remote Tower Air Traffic Control Center and training academy for air traffic control workers that will bring aviation students and teachers to Dallas County.
The project will bring 28 jobs the first year and annual payroll of $3.1 million and increase to 119 jobs in five years and payroll of $8 million. The school will teach 25-50 students per year.
More than 100 people gathered to celebrate the economic development win for Dallas County in a ceremony led by Craig Field Executive Director Jim Corrigan and Selma& Dallas County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Wayne Vardaman.
State Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield also attended.
Dan Cunningham, chief operating officer of AATC, said they chose Selma because of the relationship built with Craig and economic development leaders.
The center will be located in a building at Craig Field airport and industrial park and includes dorms that will be renovated to house students for the 48-week courses.
The remote tower technology will allow traffic controllers to perform traditional control tower functions from a different location through extensive use of cameras, real-time video and other advances.
No remote virtual tower is in operation in the U.S. The one at Craig will provide air traffic control for up to 40 airports in the U.S.
“The Selma RTC will be the catalyst for this historic change in the United States,” Cunningham said in a statement.
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