Local Collaboration Helps West Star Aviation’s Grand Junction Expansion Take Flight

Local community leaders representing the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, Industrial Developments Inc., the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce, City of Grand Junction, Mesa County, and the Grand Junction Regional Airport present West Star Aviation with a check recognizing the fulfillment of incentive requirements, celebrating progress on the company’s expansion. 

Grand Junction, CO (July 15, 2026)—

As the walls of West Star Aviation’s new 109,000 square foot hangar in Grand Junction begin to take shape, the Grand Junction Economic Partnership and Industrial Developments Inc, in partnership with the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce,  each presented a $123,000 check to West Star Aviation, totaling $246,000 in support of the company’s Grand Junction expansion, recognizing the significance of its economic impact, job creation, and fulfillment of incentive requirements.

West Star Aviation, one of the nation’s top business aircraft maintenance and refurbishment facilities, has been a cornerstone of Mesa County’s regional economy since 1952. West Star Aviation broke ground on its new hangar in March 2025, with construction to be completed by the end of October 2026. The expansion includes construction of a 109,000 square foot hangar containing 40,000 dedicated hangar space, 38,000 SF office space, and 38,000 SF in ramp space. West Star Aviation will create up to 100 new primary jobs.

“This expansion represents an opportunity for our workforce and economic growth as we continue to make Grand Junction a hub for aerospace and aviation services. This opportunity for collaboration is made possible through the hard work of dedicated partners at the state and local level,” stated Curtis Englehart, Executive Director of the Grand Junction Economic Partnership. “Our partnership with West Star Aviation, OEDIT, Industrial Developments Inc, and the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce to support the success of this expansion is paramount to our mission and the economic vitality of Mesa County.”

The local incentive payout for West Star Aviation’s expansion is part of a comprehensive package in partnership with the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) secured to support the selection of Grand Junction, Colorado, for a significant expansion during a competitive, multi-state site selection process. The Grand Junction Economic Partnership and Industrial Developments Inc, in partnership with the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, provided a local match totaling $246,000 for the state’s Strategic Fund Job Growth Incentive, solidifying the company’s decision to invest in Mesa County.

“One of the most effective economic development strategies available to any community is supporting the businesses that have already chosen to invest here. West Star Aviation has been a cornerstone employer in Mesa County for more than 70 years, and this expansion reflects both their continued confidence in our community and their commitment to innovation,” said Candace Carnahan, President & CEO of the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce and Director of Industrial Developments Inc.

“By helping existing businesses grow, we strengthen our economy, create quality jobs, and build a more competitive future for Mesa County.” “This expansion is a major milestone for us. We’re not just building a new hangar, we’re building on the success and dedication of our team. This will allow us to continue to provide top-tier service to our customers while creating new opportunities for our employees and the community,” said Scott Sweeney, General Manager of West Star Aviation.

The Strategic Fund Job Growth Incentive is for business expansion or relocation projects in which Colorado is in competition with at least one other state. This state incentive provides a cash payment over five years to companies that create and maintain new permanent jobs in Colorado, requiring a local match. The Grand Junction Economic Partnership and Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce also helped West Star Aviation secure the state’s Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit.

“We are committed to collaborating with community partners like GJEP and Industrial Developments Inc. to support the expansion of companies creating good-paying jobs in Western Colorado. Supporting West Star Aviation’s expansion was a key opportunity to grow one of the region’s largest employers and support an important Aviation cluster on the Western Slope,” said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director.

The expansion will significantly increase West Star Aviation’s ability to meet growing demand while supporting operations at Grand Junction Regional Airport, which is undergoing a multi-year runway improvement project. This expansion further solidifies West Star Aviation’s local partnerships throughout the Grand Junction area, reinforcing the region’s status as a key aviation hub.