LSA America, which has already made one landing in Halifax County, prepared for another flight today that will bring the company, which makes the Allegro light sport aircraft, to the Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport.

The company expects to make the move from its current location in Littleton in May, its officials said before a groundbreaking ceremony at the airport today.

Halifax County Board of Commissioners Chairman James Pierce told the audience the company plans to build a 16,000-square foot manufacturing facility at the airport. “While the Littleton site works well, the airport needed to promote the business side. The location is a great business opportunity. It’s important to the community because it will create jobs.”

Pierce said within two years the company plans to create 34 jobs. “We’re excited about the opportunity to partner with LSA.”

A sign welcoming LSA is seen between two Allegro aircraft.

Sam Robinson, secretary of the Halifax County Economic Development Commission, said, “We’re very excited about LSA’s plans to grow in Halifax County. It’s a more effective way to grow the potential of the airport.”

Tim Ivey, economic development representative for the Northeast Region of the state Department of Commerce, said Halifax County was not only in competition with other counties in the state, but the state of Wisconsin made an attractive offer to the company. “I said give me more time. I said I could talk to some people who could make it work.”

With help from different agencies, including the Rural Center, the company decided to locate in Halifax County.

Doug Hempstead, president of the company, said, “I’m very pleased with the crowd but not at all surprised. You were so unified in bringing jobs to Halifax County and Northampton County. The board of commissioners came together, the airport authority, the community college. It’s been a real partnership.”

Ross Kennedy, chief pilot and flight instructor, explained to the audience, “The Allegro is one of my favorite airplanes to fly.”

The Hempsteads, right, along with Commissioner Rives Manning, left, and King, use ceremonial shovels to break ground.

It is a fuel-efficient plane, he said, getting between 33 to 40 miles per gallon off 87-octane fuel.

It is also sporty. “It’s been compared to a 1930s Porsche,” he said. “It’s a phenomenal flyer and a phenomenal trainer. It’s such a good teaching tool.”

The company has definite marketing and manufacturing strategies within the next five years, LSA board member Greg Walker said, including marketing its dealerships.

The company plans to bring the planes to China, he said. “That’s going to be something that says made in the USA over there.”

An Allegro.

The next five years also means additional product development, Walker said.

Original plans were to have the company locate at the old airport, said David King, chairman of the airport authority. Regulations, however, forced other plans.

He said that LSA moving to the new airport shows what the vision of the facility was from the beginning. “Everyone can see the original vision coming to fruition.”

Hempstead said following the groundbreaking the company is currently manufacturing one plane every six weeks in Littleton. “By the end of the year it will be two planes per month.”

By the end of the following year the company plans to be at four planes a month.

Having a manufacturing facility at the airport saves time for customers, Hempstead explained. It is also better for testing.

Ralph Johnson, manager of the airport, is pleased with the decision. “It shows what an airport is all about. There’s not many airports with a business or industry on site. I think we’re very fortunate to have that. It will be a beginning on bringing more and more industry here.”