Update: Toronto Sky Aviation to create 100 jobs near Opa-locka Airport in Miami-Dade

Canada’s Toronto Sky Aviation is expanding its airplane repair business to South Florida and plans to create 100 jobs in three years, officials announced.

The Toronto-based company bought Aircraft Armature Inc., a repair company approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. It will operate in a nearly 30,000-square-foot building near Opa-locka Executive Airport in northwest Miami-Dade, county leaders said.

Toronto Sky chose South Florida to grow partly because of its skilled labor and expertise in aviation services, especially in aircraft motor rewinds, Chief Executive Mike Cean said in a statement.

Aviation is one of seven industries targeted for job growth in Miami-Dade.

“Opa-locka is one of the areas hit hard by unemployment, so we are happy to hear that Aircraft Armature will be creating more than 100 jobs in the area,” said Frank Nero, president of The Beacon Council, the county’s economic development group.

 The Beacon Council helped Toronto Sky with research, training and local incentives.

News of the Canadian investment came during Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s five-day business mission to Canada this month. Scott had earlier announced that Canada’s Garda Cash Logistics would open its U.S. headquarters in Palm Beach County, with plans to create 100 jobs in Boca Raton.

For more information on the Beacon Council, visit www.beaconcouncil.com.