Copter Firm to Lease More Airport Land
The Torrance City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to lease more land at Torrance Municipal Airport to Robinson Helicopter Co. so the company can expand to accommodate production of its new helicopter, the four-seat R-44.
Company President Frank D. Robinson said that because of the city’s action he will shelve plans to build the R-44 on property he owns in Santa Maria.
The company will pay $21,740 per month on the new lease.
Robinson estimated that the new production will almost double the number of employees at the company by adding 400 new jobs. Torrance estimates $80,000 in sales tax from the business this year and expects that figure to increase dramatically with new production.
The 40-year lease on 10 acres includes space currently occupied by six other aviation firms. The city plans to help relocate five of those businesses, perhaps by building new facilities for them, Assistant City Manager Albert Ng said.
Robinson said he will provide temporary space for the few companies that will have to move in August. He said the others will probably not have to move until February or March, 1993.
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