Sanford-based Alotech gets $4.5 million defense contract

SANFORD, N.C. — Sanford-based Alotech has been awarded a $4.5 million contract from the United States Air Force to provide aircraft parts and auxiliary equipment for the F-16 logisitcs support team, state officials announced Tuesday.

The company is one of three nationwide selected for the five-year contract under the HUBZone certification. The designation stands for Historically Underutilized Business Zone companies, a program by the U.S. Small Business Administration to help small business in urban and rural communities get preferred access to federal contracts.

“Alotech’s selection for this significant contract offers further evidence that our state’s thriving defense businesses produce high quality products that support our troops and create jobs for North Carolinians,” U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C. said. “I congratulate Alotech on its selection and am proud that a North Carolina small business will help build F-16 Fighting Falcons.”

Alotech Chief Operating Officer Tommy Kirk said the selection is a tribute to the employees, many whom received initial training at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford. He also thanked Hagan for her support.

In 2011, businesses in 87 of North Carolina’s 100 counties were awarded or executed $4.06 billion in prime contracts from the Department of Defense, an increase of 13 percent and $471 million over 2010, according to Hagan’s office.