US defence firm Northrop Grumman will be the first key tenant at the proposed Western Sydney Airport precinct, where they will set up a $50 million 'centre of excellence'.
David Borger, director of the Sydney Business Chamber in Western Sydney, says the new Northrop Grumman centre will contribute to the creation of hundreds of knowledge job opportunities. He believes it will also provide an opportunity to create partnerships with universities and training institutions, and facilitate the training of the highly-skilled technicians needed for Western Sydney’s future job needs.
Borger said the commitment from the US defence major, combined with the recent Federal Government announcement of the Western Sydney Cities Deal and the Western Sydney Airport Corporation, demonstrates that Badgerys Creek provides a prime opportunity for the growth of new industry in Western Sydney.
A 2015 report commissioned by the Sydney Business Chamber, created by academic Dr John Kasarda, had previously underlined the necessity of any new airport precinct to attract private sector investment, to generate economic activity, and to create 'a thriving aerotropolis'.
Borger adds that the Sydney Business Chamber seeks to drive private sector investment in the high-tech and agriculture industries, as well as in the education and tourism industries. This will help them establish themselves within the area, and to compete with the global economy.
The Sydney Business Chamber in Western Sydney will hold a Western Sydney Airport conference later this year to highlight the opportunities provided by global industry players co-locating within the aerotropolis.
