Florida tempts Piper to stay
Piper Aircraft has until June 30 to decide whether it will remain in Vero Beach, Fla.

Piper Aircraft has until June 30 to decide whether it will remain in Vero Beach, Fla. An April 28 Indian River County budget resolution approved $12 million to keep Piper Aircraft at its present headquarters, and the state of Florida added another $20 million. To receive the funds, Piper would have to agree to design, develop, produce and assemble the new single-engine PiperJet in Vero Beach and execute an affidavit confirming that it has orders for at least 75 copies of the jet secured by $5 million worth of deposits. A Piper spokesman told AIN that CEO Jim Bass will recommend the $32 million agreement to Piper’s board of directors.