(August 15, 2004) - As its A500 moves closer to a much-delayed certification, Adam Aircraft is looking for a new home. Salt Lake City's Deseret News reports CEO Rick Adam is looking at Texas, Kentucky and other states as possible new homes for his company, however, Ogden Utah's government officials hope their town makes the final cut. Adam's decision will be worth a lot to Ogden or any other location chosen as the new headquarters location. He plans to hire as many as 500 workers within three years.

Utah is attractive to Adam Aircraft for a number of reasons. First, the state is offering tax rebates worth 30-percent over the life of a facility that could be built near Ogden. Second, Williams International the chosen engine supplier for Adam'sA700s jets has a manufacturing facility at Ogden's Hinkley Airport.

"We've been told by some in the company that our offer is still the best one they have," said Ogden (UT) Economic Development Director David Harmer in an interview with the Deseret News. "No one has come back to me to indicate otherwise or come back to say, 'Can you modify your offer to be more competitive?' or anything like that. Our offer is an excellent one, and we hope it will win the day, but it's troubling that they're taking so long to commit."

While being on the list of candidates is exciting for all, the jet manufacturer is making it clear that it's not rushing its decision anytime soon. This delay sits well for Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey, who believes Adam is waiting for FAA certification before making a decision on where to move. "I can understand that," he told the Deseret News. "Why move forward if you do not have a product to manufacture yet?"