Project broke ground in April 2023

Frankfort, KY – On April 22, 2024, Gov. Andy Beshear congratulated Epic Flight Academy on cutting the ribbon for its new FAA Part 147 aircraft mechanic school at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).

“Workforce development is the most important and proactive step we can take for the future of Kentucky’s economy,” said Gov. Beshear. “This new training facility from Epic Flight Academy will train workers at CVG, helping prepare thousands of Kentuckians to make an impact in their communities, while also supporting their families through skilled, well-paying jobs. We’re committed to building a pipeline for a skilled workforce, and this is the latest example of that commitment.”

Epic broke ground on the over-32,000-square-foot building in April 2023 and completed the construction this month. The flight academy consists of more than 15,000 square feet of shop space/training area and nearly 16,000 square feet of classrooms and finished office space. There are 10 classrooms, a library, a cafeteria and private offices.

Epic Flight Academy, which also has a location in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, offers students the opportunity to become an FAA-certified airframe and powerplant (A&P) aviation mechanic in the aerospace industry. Epic Flight Academy Aircraft Mechanic Program welcomed its first class of students in 2020, and students began training at CVG on April 15, 2024. The program takes approximately 18 months.

CVG CEO Candace McGraw welcomed the new training facility: “We are pleased to welcome Epic Flight Academy to CVG, and we look forward to growing this partnership. Aircraft mechanics are in high demand. Epic Flight Academy will open doors for students across our region who represent the future of the aviation industry and will provide a well-trained pipeline for employment at CVG.”

Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore thanked Epic Flight Academy for its commitment to Northern Kentucky: “CVG is on an incredible growth trajectory with increasing cargo volume and passenger flights driving the need for more aircraft maintenance technicians. We are thrilled about the Epic and FEAM Aero partnership to offer new, high-paying career pathways for our residents.”

President and CEO of BE NKY Growth Partnership Lee Crume congratulated Epic Flight Academy on its new training facility at CVG: “The demand for aircraft maintenance technicians is ever-growing, and Epic Flight Academy has begun filling that need with their first class starting last week. The new jobs being created by CVG’s cargo and passenger growth offer tremendous opportunities in the Cincinnati region.”

Epic Flight Academy’s investment and job creation build on the best four-year period for economic growth in state history.

Since the beginning of his administration, Gov. Beshear has announced more than 1,000 private-sector new-location and expansion projects totaling over $30.6 billion in announced investments, creating more than 52,500 jobs. This is the highest investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth’s history.

The robust job creation has been accompanied by rising wages across the commonwealth. The average incentivized hourly wage in 2022 and 2023 topped $26 in consecutive years for the first time.

Gov. Beshear has announced some of the largest economic development projects in state history, which have solidified Kentucky as the electric vehicle battery production capital of the United States: Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s transformative $5.8 billion, 5,000-job BlueOval SK Battery Park in Hardin County; AESC’s $2 billion, 2,000-job gigafactory project in Warren County; Toyota’s $1.3 billion investment in Scott County; and INFAC North America’s $53 million investment in Taylor County, among others.

The Governor’s administration also secured the largest General Fund budget surplus and Rainy Day Fund, as well as the most jobs filled in state history. Last year, Kentucky set the record for the longest period with the lowest unemployment rates in state history.

Kentucky also secured rating increases from major credit rating agencies Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings, and Moody’s Investors Service upgraded Kentucky’s credit outlook from stable to positive.

In March, Site Selection magazine ranked Kentucky third nationally and first in the South Central economic development projects per capita in its 2023 Governor’s Cup rankings. Previously, Site Selection placed Kentucky first in the South Central region and top 5 nationally in its 2023 Prosperity Cup ranking, which recognizes state-level economic development agencies for their success in landing capital investment projects.

Gov. Beshear announced a “Supply Kentucky” initiative with the goal of boosting job growth, reducing costs and providing more security in the supply chains of our Kentucky companies.

For more information on Epic Flight Academy, visit EpicFlightAcademy.com. 

Information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs is available at CED.ky.gov. Fans of the Cabinet for Economic Development can also join the discussion at facebook.com/CEDkygov, on Twitter @CEDkygov, Instagram @CEDkygov and LinkedIn.