Duncan Aviation on Friday held a groundbreaking for a $40 million expansion of its MRO facility in Battle Creek, Michigan. First announced in April, the expansion includes a 46,000-sq-ft hangar and a 56,000-sq-ft, two-story building for storage, back shops, and office space. About 70 new jobs are expected to be added over the next five years in Battle Creek as part of the expansion.

Andy Richards, executive v-p and chief operating officer of the Battle Creek site, told attendees the growth of business aviation along with the size of the aircraft is prompting the expansion. “The result of this growth has been increased demand for hangar space required to complete the requested airframe, engine, interior, paint, and avionics modifications work for the business aircraft fleet,” he said.

Construction is expected to be complete in the first quarter of 2024. Once finished, Duncan will operate from a total of 480,000 sq ft at Battle Creek Executive Airport.