ASCO Aerospace Expansion Means Hundreds of Jobs in Stillwater

• Joe Wertz
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  Joe Wertz was a reporter and managing editor for StateImpact Oklahoma from 2011-2019. He reported on energy and environment issues for national NPR audiences and other national outlets. He previously worked as a managing editor, assistant editor and staff reporter at several major Oklahoma newspapers and studied journalism at the University of Central Oklahoma.

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Belgian aerospace manufacturer ASCO is expanding into the former MerCrusier plant in Stillwater.

A Belgian aerospace manufacturer is opening a new plant in Stillwater.

ASCO, which makes components for aircraft designed large manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing, is expanding in Oklahoma because it’s centrally located and has an existing aerospace industry, reports KOSU’s Michael Cross.

Stillwater Mayor John Bartley is hopeful that Oklahoma State University students will have opportunities to work with ASCO, and company officials say they’ll likely hire machinists, engineers, assemblers and inspectors from Stillwater’s Meridian Technology Center, KOSU reports.

The company will invest $60 million initially, the Associated Press reports. The second phase could include $30 million to $40 million in capital investments,

As many as 250 people could find jobs in the first round of hiring, which starts in September. An additional 250-350 jobs could be added over the next few years, KOSU reports:

The CEO of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce says many of the jobs will be hired locally.