McKinney, Texas (XX March 2022) –– The McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is proud to announce that Cirrus Aircraft, the recognized global leader in personal aviation and the maker of the best-selling SR Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet®, received the New Corporate Business Award following the grand opening of its Innovation Center at Common Desk in McKinney Square last year. The MEDC presented the award during the 2022 McKinney Chamber Community Awards, recognizing organizations that open in McKinney and positively impact the community’s quality of life. Cirrus Aircraft received a grant from the MEDC, and the company currently has 18 employees with plans to create additional high-tech, professional positions in the future.
McKinney Economic Development Corporation Board President Michael Jones said, “Cirrus Aircraft is paving the way in the aerospace industry with their innovative technology and aviation engineering. The MEDC is thankful Cirrus Aircraft chose McKinney, Texas for the home for their new corporate Innovation Center.”
Cirrus Aircraft’s presence within the McKinney community has been impactful, and the company recently partnered with the McKinney ISD Aviation Program to fund the organization’s aircraft building projects. The Innovation Center in McKinney supports Cirrus Aircraft’s engineering disciplines and product development responsible for advancing new technology and design for innovative product introductions. Cirrus Aircraft is known in the personal aviation industry for including sophisticated safety systems on every aircraft it manufactures. For example, the Vision Jet has both the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) and Safe Return™ Emergency Autoland.
“We are honored to join the McKinney community and receive the New Corporate Business Award from the MEDC,” said Zean Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer of Cirrus Aircraft. “Since opening the doors at our Innovation Center, we’ve been met with ongoing support by community leaders as we continue to advance the personal aviation industry, offer new career opportunities and foster local economic development.”
Cirrus Aircraft’s Innovation Center occupies a portion of Common Desk, a WeWork co-working space at 300 E. Davis St. McKinney, Texas 75069. The company is also building a Factory Service Center located at McKinney National Airport (TKI) to offer flight training, maintenance and aircraft management. In addition to Cirrus Aircraft, McKinney is home to several aviation and aerospace companies, including Raytheon Intelligence & Space, Albers Aerospace and EXOS Aerospace Systems & Technologies. Additionally, TKI is currently undergoing plans to expand its runway and recently received gateway designation allowing general aviation operators and passengers to fly to Washington D.C.
About Cirrus Aircraft
Cirrus Aircraft is the recognized global leader in personal aviation and the maker of the best-selling SR Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet®, the world’s first single-engine Personal Jet™, as well as the recipient of the Robert J. Collier Trophy. Founded in 1984, the company has redefined performance, comfort and safety in aviation with innovations like the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) – the first FAA-certified whole-airframe parachute safety system included as standard equipment on an aircraft. To date, worldwide flight time on Cirrus aircraft has passed 13 million hours and 220 people have returned home safely to their families as a result of the inclusion of CAPS as a standard feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The company now has operations in seven cities in the United States consisting of locations in Duluth, Minnesota; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Knoxville, Tennessee; Greater Dallas, Texas; Greater Phoenix, Arizona; Greater Orlando, Florida; and Benton Harbor, Michigan. Learn more at cirrusaircraft.com.
About McKinney Economic Development Corporation
The McKinney Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) leads, directs and coordinates the broad-based expansion of the city’s business tax base and promotes sustainable job growth thereby continuously enhancing the citizens’ quality of life McKinney area. For more information, visit uniquemckinney.com
Media Contacts:
Miguel Esparza
Project Manager – MEDC
Nadia Haidar
Public Relations Manager – Cirrus Aircraft
